2024-02-14 22:44:21
PRESENT
The European Union allocated USD 111,140 to strengthen the capacities of the Ecuadorian Red Cross and respond to the needs of the most affected people at a time when Ecuador is going through an internal armed conflict against organized crime.
The aid will finance first aid, psychosocial support, maintenance of the network of blood donation services and help to reestablish contacts between family members.
Additionally, basic assistance will be provided to internally displaced people and support to strengthen the capacity of the Red Cross to work in hostile environments, the EU said in a statement.
Humanitarian aid could benefit up to 4,500 people in the most affected areas, including the provinces of Azuay, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Loja, ManabÃ, Morona Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pichincha, Tungurahua, SucumbÃos and Santo Domingo.
The funding forms part of the EU’s overall contribution to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Emergency Fund for Disaster Response.
Ecuador faces a serious security crisis, marked by an alarming increase in violence and crime, the letter indicates.
The escalation of violence, which led President Daniel Noboa to declare an internal armed conflict on January 9, is causing humanitarian consequences throughout the country, such as forced displacement, recruitment of children and young people, deaths, injuries and restrictions on access to basic services, making the delivery of humanitarian assistance difficult, he noted.