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Ecuador has declared a state of national emergency for 60 days, in response to a crisis caused by drought, lack of water and a series of devastating forest fires. The announcement was made by the National Risk Management Secretariat in an official press release published on Monday.
The Minister of the Environment, Inés Manzano, confirmed this measure due to the scale and impact of climatic events recorded in the country. The southern regions of Ecuador are particularly affected, with more than 10,000 hectares of vegetation destroyed by fires in November alone.
The government hopes that this declaration will help mobilize the necessary resources to fight fires, mitigate the effects of drought and guarantee better access to water for affected populations.
A critical situation
In November 2024, more than 10,000 hectares of vegetation were destroyed, mainly in the south of the country. The capital Quito, surrounded by 27 active fires, was also hit hard. Evacuations affected 107 families, and several homes were destroyed. Injuries, including firefighters and residents, were reported.
The current drought is the most severe in 61 years and has led to prolonged water and power outages in several regions. High temperatures and strong winds exacerbated the fires, which are believed to be partly of criminal origin. Authorities have arrested one suspect and continue to search for others responsible.
Beyond local impacts, this crisis is symptomatic of the effects of climate change, also affecting other South American countries. The situation highlights major challenges linked to the management of natural resources and the preservation of the environment in the face of these extreme events.
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