This projection update on the food security situation in Ecuador revises the earlier projections for the period from September 2024 to March 2025, covering all 24 provinces. The update was prompted by the need to assess the impact of several worsening factors, including a major drought-driven energy shortage at the end of 2024, La Niña impacts, rising insecurity, and disruptions to agricultural production. The previous projection estimated that the number of people experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) would rise from 2.58 million to 2.73 million. However, due to the worsening conditions, the figure has now been revised to 2.82 million—an increase of 94,194 more people than originally expected.

• Prioritise response and emergency food aid actions in the most affected provinces in Phase 3, with the aim of mitigating food consumption gaps and the deterioration of the nutritional status of this population.
• Manage and articulate programmes and projects that allow for an immediate response, contributing to reduce food consumption gaps and improve the livelihoods of populations in crisis and emergency situations.
• Design a response proposal led by the MIES for the delivery of short-term vouchers to help mitigate the effects of the crisis and improve the livelihoods of affected communities. This measure should contribute to reducing food consumption gaps among populations in crisis and emergency situations, avoiding their aggravation and protecting their lives.
• Present these results to the Council of Ministers and international cooperation agencies in order to integrate efforts to strengthen the humanitarian response and support decision-making.