Above: Ecuador’s mountain rivers — where communities get their water — run muddy.
Ecuador has endured an intense rainy season this year. Ongoing heavy rainfall has caused over 1,400 landslides and 1,300 flood events, leading to 49 fatalities and impacting more than 200,000 people. The devastation is most severe in the western provinces of Manabí, Los Ríos, Guayas, and El Oro — regions already burdened by economic hardship.
The floods washed away farmland, destroyed roadways and bridges, and exacerbated the troubles of an already struggling economy.
Feeding the Hungry
In San Jacinto, Convoy of Hope distributed food and water to families affected by the floods. At the sight of food, one woman cried in the arms of a volunteer, saying she had no food left and didn’t know how she was going to feed her family.
In the tumultuous aftermath of disasters, food distribution means providing hope. Food serves not only as a means of physical nourishment, but as a catalyst for resilience and recovery. Rebuilding after a disaster is much harder when you and your family are hungry. Distributing food removes that obstacle for families on the road to recovery.
Clean Water Cisterns
Communities near the Andes Mountains depend on clean water flowing directly from the mountain rivers. After the floods, families in Juanes found their water source muddied and undrinkable. They suddenly had no clean water to drink, cook with, wash clothes, or take baths.
In a joint effort with local partners in the community, Convoy of Hope provided unique rain cisterns designed for people living on unstable land. Each cistern includes a strong concrete platform to withstand the valley winds, a modified tank to keep insects out, and a system to secure the lid against the wind. Despite the continuous heavy rain that keeps the rivers muddy, homes now have access to a constant supply of water through their cisterns.
In March, no one had any water. Now, 28 cisterns are full and providing safe water to families in need.
Bridging the Gap — Literally
In a small community near the Andes, the people used to cross a bamboo bridge over a river to get to work every day. The river water makes the bamboo slippery, and when it floods the bridge washes away completely.
Convoy of Hope worked with community members and work teams who, together, built a stable footbridge that won’t wash away in the next flood.
Hope After a Storm
From food and clean water to long-term recovery projects, Convoy of Hope is committed to walking alongside the people of Ecuador as they recover and rebuild. Every meal shared, every cistern installed, and every bridge rebuilt is a step toward restoring hope and stability.
