Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 21 April 2025

KEY FIGURES

  • 686K people in Bolivia affected by seasonal rains since November 2024
  • 1M children in Haiti face emergency levels of hunger
  • 165K people affected by rain-related events in Ecuador between 1 January and 20 April

BOLIVIA: FLOODS

Flooding in Bolivia continues to escalate, affecting over 686,000 people (an increase of nearly 100,000 since previously reported), with an estimated 270,000 in need of immediate assistance. Some 40 per cent of those in need are Indigenous communities. The floods have displaced thousands, many of whom remain in makeshift camps, and put over 1.1 million livestock at risk. The Bolivian Government has distributed more than 270 tons of relief so far and estimate that US$67 million is required to address the most urgent needs. Humanitarian partners have mobilized additional support, including US$250,000 from WFP for cash-based transfers. The Bolivian Red Cross is finalizing a US$656,000 allocation through IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), while the UN Resident Coordinator has requested a CERF allocation—Bolivia’s first in over 11 years—to support the Government-led response. Due to the large areas affected by the rise of several rivers in all nine departments, the number affected continues to grow. More rain is forecast for the coming weeks.

ECUADOR: RAINY SEASON

Ecuador’s rainy season continues to intensify, with 2,892 emergency events—primarily landslides and floods—recorded across all 24 provinces as of 20 April. The number of people affected has risen to 165,968, with 44 deaths and over 53,500 homes damaged or destroyed. The provinces of Manabí, Los Ríos, Guayas, and Esmeraldas remain the most impacted, and red alerts have been issued due to heightened rainfall and landslide risks. Rising water levels in the Daule-Peripa reservoir—now at their highest since 1999—have prompted controlled releases to prevent overflow, triggering alerts in downstream communities and raising concerns in Guayaquil over potential flooding and infrastructure impacts. Authorities continue coordinating response efforts amid forecasts of further rains.

HAITI: FOOD INSECURITY

Food insecurity in Haiti has reached unprecedented levels, driven by escalating violence, mass displacement, and economic collapse. According to the latest IPC analysis, 5.7 million people—over half the population—are projected to face acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3+) through June, including 2.1 million in Emergency (IPC 4) and 8,400 in Catastrophe (IPC 5). Over one million children are now facing emergency levels of hunger, with health systems overwhelmed and access to treatment severely limited. Armed violence continues to restrict access to food and essential services. Despite scaled-up humanitarian efforts—including WFP reaching 1.3 million people and UNICEF treating over 4,600 children for severe acute malnutrition in 2025—the response is outpaced by growing needs. Both agencies warn that the risk of famine looms and call for urgent international support to sustain operations and prevent further deterioration.

CARIBBEAN: WATER SCARCITY

​A recent study by CAF–Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean–warns that critical water scarcity across the Caribbean poses escalating risks ahead of the 2025 hurricane season. The study reveals that several nations are experiencing absolute water scarcity, while others are losing nearly half of their available water due to outdated infrastructure and inefficiencies. With sewerage infrastructure coverage averaging just 11 per cent and untreated sewage often discharged into the sea, the risk of contamination and disease outbreaks during extreme weather events is heightened. CAF emphasizes the urgent need for policy reforms, technological advancements, and significant financial investments to enhance water security and climate resilience in the Caribbean. The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins in June and is expected to have above average activity.