Improving Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Protection Services in Ecuador - CARE

March 2021 - Over 5.4 million people have fled Venezuela since 2015 many of whom are currently transiting through or residing in neighbouring countries such as Colombia Ecuador and Peru. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic border closures pandemic stigmatization of migrants and weakened economic activity have limited peoples’ ability to support their basic needs. An estimated 682 000 people in need in Ecuador require life-saving interventions including primary healthcare protection services shelter water sanitation services and hygiene kits including food and nutrition assistance. With GAC’s support CARE helps address the essential sexual and reproductive health and protection needs of 6 180 crisis-affected people including migrants and refugees and community members in the regions of Ibarra Manta and Huaquillas in Ecuador. Project activities include: (1) providing sexual and reproductive health services including information and support related to sexual and reproductive rights; (2) distributing hygiene and gender-based violence prevention kits; (3) providing multipurpose cash transfers to crisis-affected people; and (4) providing psychosocial and legal support to vulnerable migrants and refugees.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to reproductive health services for women and girls; and (2) increased access to protection services including psychosocial and legal support for migrants and refugees. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises and acute food insecurity.