Ecuador activates emergency committees and preventive measures as authorities warn 1.3 million people could be exposed across 17 provinces.
Ecuador’s government declared a nationwide red alert on Saturday as ocean-atmospheric conditions associated with the El Niño phenomenon evolve, triggering expanded preparations and emergency response measures across the country.
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The National Secretariat for Risk Management (Secretaría Nacional de Gestión de Riesgos, SNGR, in Spanish) said the declaration is intended to strengthen preparedness and allow authorities to anticipate potential risk scenarios and activate mechanisms to protect the population.
Under the measure, provincial and municipal Emergency Operations Committees (COE) will be activated to coordinate preparedness and response efforts. Local governments have also been instructed to implement their existing action plans for El Niño.
El Gobierno Nacional fortalece las acciones de preparación y respuesta ante la posible ocurrencia del Fenómeno de El Niño.
Boletín 041 | https://t.co/LfXxeNDiZK#GobiernoDelEcuador pic.twitter.com/441RN6H0Tc
— Riesgos Ecuador (@Riesgos_Ec) August 30, 2026
Text Reads: The National Government is strengthening preparedness and response actions in the face of the possible occurrence of the El Niño Phenomenon.
The resolution provides for preventive evacuations, response protocols, the mobilization of resources and measures to protect people in areas that could be affected.
SNGR chief Carolina Lozano said about 1.3 million people could be exposed to the effects of El Niño across 17 provinces that had previously been under an orange alert.
The government has allocated $650 million across different state ministries and agencies for measures related to the phenomenon, Lozano said. About 70% of the funds are earmarked for prevention, while the remaining 30% will support response efforts.
Authorities have already reported initial impacts on the artisanal fishing sector, according to the SNGR. The agency said state institutions have been coordinating measures since February to address the effects of El Niño and reduce its potential impact on the population.
The SNGR said it will continue monitoring conditions and coordinating with different levels of government to strengthen preparedness and response efforts.
“Preparation is a shared responsibility, and for that reason, permanent monitoring, planning and coordination efforts remain in place to respond in a timely manner to any eventuality,” the agency said.
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