UNHCR Ecuador: Operational Update N.4 | April 2026

Countries: Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Please refer to the attached file.

Operational context

Throughout April 2026, Ecuador’s operational environment remained marked by overlapping security, environmental, and socio-economic pressures affecting both host communities and displaced people. While official data indicates a reduction in homicide rates, field-level analysis suggests this reflects a partial containment of violence rather than structural improvement, with criminal dynamics increasingly shifting across territories. These trends suggest monitoring coastal and border regions will be increasingly important in the coming months. According to official data, 2,778 violent deaths were recorded between January–April, compared to 3,150 in the same period last year, an 11.8% decrease. Despite this reduction, the homicide rate remains high nationwide.

Security responses continued under prolonged states of exception. Military and police operations intensified in several provinces, including Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas, and Sucumbíos, contributing to heightened fear among communities. In border areas such as Carchi, migration control operations prioritized verification of migration status and criminal records, where UNHCR and partners continued to deliver legal assistance to individuals with international protection needs.

In Esmeraldas and San Lorenzo, security incidents directly affected communities and humanitarian operations, leading to temporary suspension or adaptation of activities and shifts to remote work modalities. Across Ecuador, UNHCR continues to accompany communities to identify risks and engage in localized responses to their needs.

Mobility dynamics at borders remain complex. At Rumichaca, the arrival of displaced families continued, where UNHCR and partners remain committed to facilitating access to assistance and protection services.

Environmental shocks further compounded vulnerabilities. Heavy rains and flooding affected the Amazon region, particularly in Orellana and Sucumbíos, leading to evacuations, disruption of basic services, and damage to infrastructure, while response capacity remained constrained. In parallel, coastal regions experienced extreme temperatures, and declining water levels in key hydroelectric reservoirs raised concerns over energy supply, which in the past years caused power cuts of over 14 hours daily.

These internal pressures are compounded by regional developments. Escalating violence in southern Colombia continued to influence cross-border movements toward Ecuador. At the same time, shifts in regional migration policies and return intentions are reshaping mobility dynamics. A recent report issued by UNHCR revealed that among Venezuelan survey respondents in Ecuador, around 11% had intentions to return to their country of origin within the next 12 months, and over two thirds would not consider returns in the next five years. This reinforces the need to continue investing in durable solutions and integration in Ecuador.Overall, the context remains highly volatile, with continued reliance on emergency measures, localized violence, and climate-related shocks affecting access to protection, services, and livelihoods. This underlines the need for sustained protection monitoring, strengthened coordination with state and local actors, and continued humanitarian engagement to mitigate risks and support affected populations. In this line, UNHCR continues delivering protection, strengthening national protection systems, while expanding access to services to mitigate risks, uphold rights, and support sustainable integration of displaced populations and vulnerable host communities. ...