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Emergency Response
Assistance to populations affected by disasters

WFP is increasingly focused on working together with governments in order to reinforce

their national security and social protection platforms.

Ecuador is a middle-income country prone to natural disasters, including floods, droughts,

volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. In April 2016, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8
struck the northern coast of Ecuador, leaving more than 663 dead, 9 missing, 113 rescued
and more than 560 schools affected.

After the earthquake, the State declared a state of emergency in the provinces of
Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo, Manabí, Guayas, Los Ríos and Santa Elena. The authorities
immediately activated emergency protocols and the National Emergency Operations Centre,
and the WFP activated an L2 emergency.

WFP’s Emergency Food Security Assessment found that two thirds of the population
affected by the earthquake are in food insecurity. As the earthquake has affected the main
income source of the population, families need to limit the number of meals eaten per day,
and reduce the quantity and diversity of their food.

During the first 72 hours, WFP distributed food assistance to more than 105,000 people in
shelters, hospitals and communities. As part of the Ecuador Reconstruction Plan established
by the national government, WFP complemented this assistance by providing a monthly
cash transfer of USD 100 per family through the government’s social safety platform.

WFP response during the 2016 emergency:

For the first time in Latin America, WFP is responding to an emergency with cash transfers
through the national social protection platform. WFP and the government are jointly
monitoring the provision of assistance to vulnerable households in the face of disasters.
 Delivery of food assistance kits
 Cash transfers
 Assisting people in Manabí and Esmeraldas
Brigida, one of our stories
Brigida, a single mother, lost her home in 2012 during the El Niño phenomenon and had to
live in a shelter for 4 years. In 2016, the earthquake tore down the walls of her house.
During the first weeks she was unable to move into another shelter.

WFP’s cash transfers help her to have access to nutritious foods. Thanks to this contribution,
Brigida and her family can now find a safe place for her family and improve their diet and
nutrition.

In response to the request of the national government, WFP launched an emergency

operation (EMOP) on the 22nd April until December and a logistics special operation (SO)
for a period of three months (April to July 2016).

Food assistance (EMOP)

In the first month, WFP distributed food assistance by means of food kits to more than
105,000 people in shelters, hospitals and communities. In June, as part of the Ecuador
Reconstruction Plan, WFP implemented the emergency operation providing monthly cash
transfers to beneficiaries. These transfers, called food vouchers, boost the local economy
and help people rebuild their livelihoods.

Until December, WFP enlisted the help of more than 145,000 people by means of monthly
cash transfers of 100 USD per family. In addition, WFP worked with the Ministry of Social
and Economic Inclusion to make the families aware of the best use of the cash transfers in
the purchasing of nutritious foods, healthy eating habits and hygiene.

Logistics (SO)
As part of WFP’s work during the emergency, logistics centres were established in
Pedernales, Manta and Quito. WFP’s logistics area included more than 2,700 square metres
of storage for humanitarian supplies from 13 organisations, including the Red Cross,
International Medical Corps, Action Against Hunger, Save the Children, the Ecuador
government and other agencies of the UN in logistics centres in Quito, Manta and
Pedernales. WFP’s temporary emergency storage service, which included approximately
4,800 square meters of storage facilities and workspaces, was available to humanitarian
actors until the 21st of May.

WFP has opened two temporary field offices in Pedernales and Manta and has assigned a
team to Portoviejo to work in response to the emergency. WFP´s existing field office in
Esmeraldas also supports the emergency.

On the 21st July, WFP´s strategy on how to transfer SO activities to government authorities
was received by government authorities. The process included strengthening of
stakeholders’ capacity to respond in emergencies and the transfer of infrastructure and
equipment to the government, including: 6 mobile storage units, 5 WFP portable offices,
and power and lighting equipment.
Partnerships
WFP and the Ministry of Social and Economic Inclusion are working to fortify the social
safety and response platform in order to implement and improve emergency response
tools.

Under the coordination of the Humanitarian Country Team, WFP, other UN agencies and
NGO partners are participating in the emergency response. WFP leads the logistics sector
and co-leads the food security sector with FAO

2016 Results
 In the first month, 105,000 people assisted with food kits.
 130,100 people received their first cash transfer.
 2,765 square metre of relief supplies stored by WFP for 13 organisations.
 4,800 square metres of storage installations and work spaces, available to
humanitarian actors.

For more information:

World Food Programme

Kyungnan.Park@wfp.org o Carmen.Galarza@wfp.org
PMA office in Quito, Ecuador: (593) 2 2460330 Ext. 1606 o 1625