Ecuador will reinforce its national early warning system for natural hazards with the support of a $10 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The operation, which was approved by the IDB Board of Executive Directors, aims to reduce the number of people who would potentially be affected by floods, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions by expanding the monitoring and risk analysis capacity of the Early Warning System. It will also enhance the process of sending out alerts to communities to boost their response capacity.
The program will bolster hazard monitoring capacities by installing new detection technology and maintaining and upgrading existing technology, and by creating a center to manage digital information and send out early warnings.
The program will also increase the number of communities prepared to evacuate before a disaster occurs. To achieve this goal, it will install new sirens with digital cameras, maintain and relocate existing sirens, develop multiple channels for disseminating warnings, and install or move instruments like signage and lighting that help communities evacuate.
Ecuador is among the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean most exposed to natural hazards. Nearly 70% of its population lives in areas with a high threat of natural disasters. From 2000 to 2022, the country experienced 59 major disasters that killed over 1,100 people and affected 2.8 million. These disasters usually take the greatest toll on women and people with disabilities, so the program will especially focus on these vulnerable groups.
The program will benefit socioeconomically vulnerable people and communities that are exposed to multiple hazards. It will also benefit the bodies responsible for observing and monitoring hazards and analyzing the associated risks. Additionally, the operation will benefit the ECU911 integrated security service that manages and operates the sirens with digital cameras for warning communities, as well as the Risk Management Secretariat, which trains and supports the communities that receive warnings.
The IDB loan has a 24-year repayment period, a six-year grace period, and an interest rate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR).
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public- and private-sector clients throughout the region.
Salgado Derqui, Javier Jose
Ecuador and the IDB
Hablemos de sostenibilidad y cambio climático