Topic: Ecuador

Nov 17, 2016

Rather than being intimidated by the economic crisis in her adopted city, María Eugenia took the initiative to start her own business. She makes and sells a traditional cheese called queso amasado. You can now buy her products in three Ecuadorian cities.

Sep 26, 2016

“These young people were looking to talk about their lives, their dreams and their experiences as refugees. We thought that photography was a good way to tell these stories,” said HIAS Psychologist Cesar Torres. The exhibition, held at one of the largest theaters in the area, featured the work of six refugee youth following seven months of training and artistic development.

Aug 10, 2016

It’s not an exaggeration to call the current refugee crisis global. Its effects are truly being seen worldwide. Meet Dannah, who fled her native Damascus with her mother and daughter and is now rebuilding her life in Ecuador, with help from HIAS.

Jun 23, 2016

On June 20, 2016, World Refugee Day celebrations around the world honored the bravery and perseverance of the millions of men, women and children who are refugees today—and also provided an opportunity for refugees themselves to have a bit of fun.

May 6, 2016

“A disaster of this scale really takes a toll, not only on the victims but on the responders. It’s not easy to be in the field and see this kind of sadness,” said Sabrina Lustgarten, director of HIAS Ecuador. “Our goal is to support those doing this very difficult emergency work, to prevent burnout and enable them to continue to respond effectively.”

Apr 18, 2016

The powerful earthquake which ripped through Ecuador on Saturday evening, killing hundreds and injuring thousands, has had a dramatic impact on the country, including the hundreds of thousands of refugees who live there.

Mar 7, 2016

In our work on four continents, we continue to be amazed by the strength and resilience of the women we encounter and serve. This International Women’s Day, let’s all speak up for the women and girls who have been displaced from their homes in staggering numbers.

Feb 16, 2016

Working with the Agrollipteños Business Association is just one example of how HIAS Ecuador helps engage refugees in entrepreneurial initiatives, encouraging groups of Colombians and Ecuadorians to collaborate in order to grow the scale and presence of their businesses. Such cooperative ventures are important because so many Colombians living in Ecuador are trapped in informal, unregulated jobs.

Aug 11, 2015

Larissa Converti describes Ecuador's long history as a host country for refugees and notes HIAS' role in the region. "During the first ten months of 2010, HIAS assisted nearly 45,000 Colombian, Venezuelan, Panamanian, and Argentinian refugees," she writes.

Jul 2, 2015

Daniel*, a Colombian refugee living in Ecuador, showed me this music video when I visited his family’s home. Like so many other Colombian families we work with in Central America, gang violence made their life there untenable. When a local gang tried to force Daniel’s older brother to join, his mother Lorena* decided that their only choice was to flee.