Elisabet* fled to Ecuador seeking safety after experiencing violence in Colombia. In Cuenca, she found safety, and thanks to HIAS, the strength to keep going. August 19, 2024. (David Quijano/HIAS)

Ecuador

Elisabet* fled to Ecuador seeking safety after experiencing violence in Colombia. In Cuenca, she found safety, and thanks to HIAS, the strength to keep going. August 19, 2024. (David Quijano/HIAS)

Founded

2003

Contact

HIAS Ecuador

+593 96 316 1400 / 02 3825770

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UNHCR estimates that there are more than 469,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance in Ecuador, including more than 39,000 refugees and asylum seekers.

The majority of displaced people in Ecuador come from Venezuela. Ecuador also hosts refugees and migrants from Colombia, Haiti, and Peru.

More than 80,000 Ecuadorians are also internally displaced due to increasing violence from criminal groups and gangs.

HIAS Ecuador builds protective environments that promote the well-being, recognition of rights, and comprehensive integration of all displaced people and their host communities.

159,200

people received services in 2024

Our Work

HIAS Ecuador works with government institutions, partner agencies, and the private sector to promote empowerment and the development of sustainable livelihoods through community-based programs and humanitarian assistance. HIAS’ strategy in Ecuador focuses on a case management approach that provides families with personalized and comprehensive assistance.

We protect refugees and displaced people by offering legal support, preventing and responding to violence against women and girls, looking after children’s rights, providing safe housing, ensuring access to food, and resettling refugees. These approaches are all tailored to local contexts and are designed to strengthen communities to support people forced to flee violence and persecution.

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HIAS’ community-based mental health programs promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities affected by crisis and conflict so they can heal and rebuild their lives.

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Through our economic empowerment work, we ensure refugees have safe economic opportunities to earn sustainable income and contribute to their communities.

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We protect refugees and displaced people by offering legal support, preventing and responding to violence against women and girls, looking after children’s rights, providing safe housing, ensuring access to food, and resettling refugees. These approaches are all tailored to local contexts and are designed to strengthen communities to support people forced to flee violence and persecution.

Learn more

Impact Story

Women-led agribusiness Intiva, which produces herbal teas and dehydrated fruits, tables at a community event in Carchi in Tulcán on September 10, 2025. (Emily Primack and Lauren Pach/HIAS).

HIAS Ecuador Helps Women’s Agribusiness Collective

Across Ecuador, HIAS works with displaced people and host community members who face economic insecurity, limited employment opportunities, and heightened risks of exploitation and abuse—particularly women.

Through an agribusiness initiative supported by UNHCR since 2017, HIAS Ecuador helps program participants build emotional stability, strengthen community ties, and create sustainable livelihoods in border regions and marginalized urban areas.

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HIAS’ services are free. If someone tries to charge you for services claiming they represent HIAS, please report it at our confidential email address: ethics@hias.org. HIAS has a zero-tolerance policy on fraud and corruption. 

For any other inquiries please email us at info@hias.org.

Together, we can help create a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity.

Your gift will help us provide vital services to refugees and asylum seekers and advocate for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

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