More than 6,000 migrants and members of border communities in Ecuador's border regions will receive humanitarian assistance through a new project funded by the Republic of Korea and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The initiative will help expand access to essential services for vulnerable people moving through key border crossings with Peru and Colombia.
According to data from IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), approximately 550 vulnerable migrants transit daily through the border crossings of Huaquillas - on the border with Peru - and Lago Agrio and Tulcán - on the border with Colombia. Most face critical barriers to accessing safe water, food, and livelihoods, and often lack access to secure shelter, health services and legal assistance.
These activities are aimed at addressing urgent humanitarian needs and strengthening protection for vulnerable people in border areas, in line with national frameworks and efforts to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration.
"Ecuador's borders are dynamic territories. Many of the people who live in and transit through these areas require immediate assistance and access to basic services that safeguard their rights," said Kristina Mejo, IOM Chief of Mission in Ecuador. "Through this project, which reflects the firm commitment of the Republic of Korea to the protection of migrants and vulnerable host communities, IOM will continue to help save lives and support people on the move."
The Ecuadorian Vice Minister for Human Mobility, Saúl Pacurucu, emphasized the importance of promoting initiatives that foster safe, orderly, and regular migration, and that strengthen assistance and protection for people in human mobility and host communities. "In the face of current challenges related to security, decreasing humanitarian funding, the fight against transnational crime and irregular migration, and volatile migration dynamics, the joint efforts of all actors will remain crucial to ensuring continued progress in our collective work."
The project will support the most vulnerable migrants by providing temporary shelter, food assistance, primary health care, and mental health and psychosocial support. It also includes the distribution of maternity kits, family hygiene kits, and baby kits, as well as the delivery of legal orientation services and protection case management, among other measures supporting a comprehensive humanitarian response.
In addition, the project will generate critical data on migration flows in border areas through the DTM methodology, contributing to informed decision-making by national and local authorities and supporting the development of evidence-based public policies.
Local communities in these border areas will also benefit through strengthened local capacities and support to existing facilities such as shelters and safe spaces that provide accommodation to vulnerable migrants and host community members, helping local governments respond more effectively to growing needs.
The participation of host communities will be a key element in promoting social cohesion, preventing xenophobia, identifying protection risks, and ensuring that the humanitarian response is inclusive, participatory, and aligned with territorial priorities.
"As a friend of Ecuador, the Republic of Korea is pleased to support this project, which aims to provide humanitarian assistance and promote social integration for migrants and refugees, a key task for Ecuador," said Jae Hyun Shim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ecuador. "Since 2019, the Korean Government has provided humanitarian assistance to Ecuador in response to the surge in Venezuelan refugees and migrants moving to neighboring countries through bilateral and multilateral channels."
This project is linked to the Korean government's 'Action with Women and Peace Initiative' on gender-based violence response, livelihoods support and capacity building for refugee women. It aims to provide practical support to address the social and economic challenges faced by refugees, migrants, and host communities in Ecuador.
