IOM will ensure that basic needs such as shelter, housing, health, food and education are covered, alleviating vulnerable Ecuadorians’ and migrants’ suffering in affected areas due to insecurity, disasters, economic hardships and deteriorating social cohesion conditions. To this aim, IOM will focus on: 

• Provision of multi-purpose cash assistance to ensure access to basic needs and protection services. 
• Distribution of food in areas most affected by insecurity, migrants' transit, inequalities and poverty.

IOM will support migrants and governments by strengthening healthcare systems with technical and financial assistance, ensuring equitable access through a human mobility approach in health policies and services: 

• Support to migrants and governments by strengthening healthcare systems through technical and financial assistance, integrating a human mobility approach into health policies, programmes, and services to ensure equitable access for migrants and host communities.
• Provision of primary health care services and diagnostic support tests to vulnerable individuals, particularly those in situations of human mobility. While health is recognized as a universal right in Ecuador, the public health system currently faces significant challenges in meeting the growing demand for services. By delivering essential primary health care at the community level, this intervention aims to alleviate the burden on public health facilities, thereby enabling the system to focus its resources on higher-complexity cases.

IOM will lead community-based planning, building in accountability to affected populations and consultation processes, to assure a people-centred approach both in migratory policy design and programming, at the national and local levels. Activities will include:

• Collaboration with local authorities: Work closely with local governments and law enforcement agencies to ensure the effective implementation of protective measures and the enforcement of laws against violence.
• Promotion of dialogue initiatives to enhance peaceful coexistence among host communities and vulnerable groups (e.g., women, migrants, internally displaced persons, and individuals with disabilities).

Community stabilization efforts address weaknesses in the social fabric in areas that are affected by human mobility, insecurity, climate crisis, unemployment and poverty. 

In these areas, IOM will implement initiatives adopting a multi-stakeholder approach that combines strengthening local governments and policies, improving social infrastructures, and enhancing educational, cultural, and sports public services and programmes. 

Specific initiatives to protect children and women from rising violence and instability in Ecuador will be prioritized, as these groups are among the most directly impacted by the breakdown of social cohesion, facing risks such as forced recruitment and heightened vulnerability, prioritizing the following activities: 

• Community awareness campaigns: Educate communities about signs of violence and mitigate threats and risks.
• Initiatives that empower social leaders, with a particular focus on women and youth, as key agents of social transformation and community resilience. 
• Implementation of programmes that enhance the capacity and resilience of communities to address and adapt to migration-related challenges, including displacement. These initiatives will prioritize the development of safe public spaces and resilient infrastructure, paired with capacity-strengthening for officials to ensure effective management and long-term sustainability. 
• Organization of cultural, social, and sports events to foster interaction, integration, and mutual understanding among diverse communities, strengthening social bonds and promoting cohesion.
• Support for localized and participatory approaches that promote proactive, people-centered engagement between government officials and communities, ensuring that migratory perspectives are integrated into the planning and delivery of essential services.

IOM will focus on the production of data, tracking displacement and identifying vulnerabilities and needs, intentions, drivers of displacement and migration, and mobility patterns. This data strengthens the capacity of IOM Ecuador and relevant stakeholders, such as national and local government authorities, to apply an evidence-based approach to migration management and crisis response. Activities will include:

• Development and implementation of standardized methodologies for the collection and analysis of displacement and migration data, ensuring that the information is comparable at both the national and international levels.
• Implementation of effective strategies for disseminating data, ensuring it is accessible and usable by all relevant stakeholders, including local and national governments, for informed decision-making.
• Analysis of migration and displacement drivers to understand the underlying causes of migration and mobility patterns, providing critical insights that strengthen the capacity of IOM Ecuador and other relevant actors. 
• Disaster risk reduction information: Analysis of displacement due to climate change and disasters, focusing on demographics, needs, and patterns, and incorporate DTM data into national reports to highlight displacement impacts and use data and technology to inform policies.

IOM applies a tailored inclusive, gender-sensitive, multi-hazard disaster preparedness approach to policymaking processes with public authorities and communities to ensure the inclusion of vulnerable groups, especially displaced populations, migrants and women, throughout the entire emergency cycle, with a focus on preparedness and anticipatory action. Activities will include: 

• Development of policies and strategies to build stronger, community-led preparedness and response operations, enhancing the capacities of governments and local stakeholders.
• Strengthening disaster preparedness systems by integrating displacement-sensitive and gender-responsive considerations into strategies and policies at the subregional and national levels. 
• Empowering communities to be better prepared for disasters by strengthening local committees and providing training in early warning systems and emergency drills.
• Capacity strengthening for national and local structures in regards disaster and risk management.

Addressing the mobility dimensions of crisis is a key component of migration governance. IOM will provide technical assistance to the Ecuadorian Government and local governments in mainstreaming a migration approach in policy-making, facilitate the reception and sustainable reintegration of returnees, support communities affected by irregular migration and displacement, promote regular migration pathways, circular migration, among others.  IOM will offer direction and expert support for: 

• Designing the National Implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) in Ecuador, as IOM is acting as the coordinator and secretariat of the United Nations Network on Migration.
• Institutional capacity strengthening of local governments on policy design and implementation such as mainstreaming migration within the Local Development Plans (PDOT in Spanish) as well as designing of Human Mobility Ordinances in coordination with subnational governments.

IOM will promote the socioeconomic inclusion of mobile populations – including migrants, internal migrants, IDPs (internally displaced persons) and returnees - through training programmes, formalization of enterprises and access to employment opportunities both in Ecuador and abroad. Activities will include: 

• Implementation of the IOM's Enterprise Development Fund (EDF) model with the support of the private sector, with a specific focus on economic recovery and youth employment 
• Strengthening of training, professional development and dual programmes for employment and entrepreneurships in alliance with academia, relevant chambers and companies. 

IOM will provide mental health and psychosocial support to migrants, returnees, IDPs, impacted communities, and individuals affected by irregular migration with a focus on community-based approaches, in line with the IOM Manual on Community- based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies and Displacement. 

IOM will focus on:

• Community-based mental health programmes that provide mental health and psychosocial support tailored to the needs of returnees, communities affected by irregular migration, and migrants, with a strong emphasis on community involvement and support, in coordination with UN Agencies, such as  the World Health Organization (WHO). 
• Training local mental health professionals and community leaders to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to address the unique MHPSS challenges faced by these populations.
• Establishment of peer support networks that enable returnees, migrants, and community members to share experiences, offer mutual support, and build resilience and social cohesion together. 
• Offering psychological first aid (PFA) and integrating MHPSS principles into other sectors.
• Strengthening community and family support networks, including psychosocial interventions in shelters, temporary housing, and host communities.
• Providing focused support, such as individual counseling, support groups, and specialized mental health services for vulnerable populations.
• Training frontline workers, shelter staff, migration professionals, return and reintegration counselors, livelihood staff, and law enforcement personnel to identify and respond to mental health and psychosocial needs.
• Developing culturally appropriate tools and methodologies for service providers working with migrants and displaced populations.
• Providing specialized MHPSS services for victims of trafficking (VoTs), returnees, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), and stranded migrants along migratory routes.
• Integrating MHPSS into community stabilization programmes, livelihood support, and reintegration strategies for people affected by violence, and victims included in reparation programs.
• Strengthening mental health care systems to improve accessibility and sustainability of psychosocial support for migrants and host communities.

Economic instability, security concerns, and environmental risks drive Ecuadorians to migrate abroad, while the country simultaneously hosts a significant number of Venezuelan migrants facing integration challenges. In response, IOM will promote labour migration and circular migration programmes that provide decent work opportunities in the formal labour market for Ecuadorians and migrants, ensuring safe and orderly migration and will focus on:

• Enhancement of migrants’ employment opportunities: Create partnerships with local and international companies to facilitate access to the formal labour market while providing vocational training for migrants and returnees.
• Support for the enhancement and/or expansion of regular migration pathways: Implement policies and programmes that facilitate regular migration processes, reducing the risks associated with irregular migration.
• Provision of technical support to the GoE in the enhancement and expansion of regular pathways to facilitate regular migration. 
• Strengthen social cohesion by developing community-based programs that support the social and economic integration of migrants, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. 
• Provision of training to employers on ethical recruitment and protecting migrants' labour rights.
• Strengthening government capacity to regulate the recruitment industry and protect migrant workers.
• Supporting the Government of Ecuador through technical assistance and systems for the regularization process of migrant populations in Ecuador. 

IOM will develop initiatives that address key drivers of conflict, as well as respond to and mitigate the effects of rising violence in Ecuador and its consequences with a special focus on children, youth and women, including: 

• Preventing recruitment: Implement programmes aimed at preventing the recruitment of vulnerable individuals into violent groups by working with schools and protection services at national and local levels through different methodologies as the Toolkit for the Prevention of Human Trafficking through Art for In-Person and Virtual Settings.
• Strengthening support spaces: Enhance and expand safe spaces that provide support and resources for victims of violence.
• Reinforcing the social fabric: Foster community-based activities that strengthen social cohesion and promote peace. 
• Using community-based planning (CBP) to develop comprehensive and participatory interventions in neighborhoods affected by violence and insecurity. 
• Workshops and recreational activities that promote the constructive use of free time, such as arts, sports, and cultural events, to engage and empower youth while fostering their creativity and social skills.

IOM will lead protection actions and services that involve preventing and responding to violence against women and girls, abuse, exploitation, discrimination, and deliberate deprivation in provinces affected by insecurity, violence, climate change-induced hazards, as well as border areas affected by insecurity and violence, according to the IOM Institutional Framework for Addressing Gender-based Violence in Crises, which has been adapted to Ecuador IOM programming. IOM aims to reduce protection risks and provide assistance to vulnerable migrants, including Ecuadorian populations vulnerable to irregular migration, human trafficking and forced recruitment in armed groups. Activities will include: 

• Provision of comprehensive protection case management and individual protection assistance to returnees, vulnerable migrants, children, youth and women.
• Strengthening community-based protection initiatives, ensuring that affected populations are active participants in their own protection.
• Implementation of specialized gender-based violence interventions, including accessible complaint and feedback mechanisms and referral pathways for survivors to protection services and strengthening the provision of those services, especially at the local level. 
• Support for efforts to prevent trafficking and strengthen capacities of national and local authorities on protection, investigation, prosecution, data and research.
• Conduct of protection analysis to determine the protection risks faced by different individuals or communities
• Provision of accessible and confidential support services, such as counselling, legal assistance, and emergency shelters, to those affected by violence.
• Creating safe spaces within communities where children and women can seek refuge and support in times of crisis.
• Facilitating voluntary returns for migrants in Ecuador who choose to return to their country of origin with dignity and safety through rights-based counselling. 
• Assisting returnees with immediate post-arrival assistance and tailored reintegration support, including cash assistance, shelter, medical assistance, mental and psychosocial support, and other basic assistance or referrals, as well as access to social services, livelihood support, and community integration efforts.
• Monitoring post-arrival conditions to safeguard the rights and well-being of migrants.
• Awareness-raising campaigns specially focused on preventing irregular migration and xenophobia.

IOM will strengthen services in collective shelters through capacity-strengthening on managing collective shelters and other collective accommodation typologies, and provision of basic services to displaced populations adapted to the various complexities related to violence, climate change, and migration in Ecuador. IOM will provide:

• Specialized training for staff managing the collective shelters in order to enhance availability and quality of basic services to displaced populations, 
• Site maintenance and improvement to ensure collective centers can adequately protect and respond to the needs of individuals affected by displacement, prioritizing nature-based solutions. 
• Facilitating inter-institutional collaboration to foster cooperation between relevant organizations and government agencies in providing comprehensive and coordinated support to collective shelters.

IOM will ensure universal access to water and hygiene by addressing the consequences of climate change, focusing primarily on communities affected by irregular migration and violence. Activities will include:

• Implementation of sustainable water management systems and maintain infrastructure that ensures a reliable supply of clean water to vulnerable communities.
• Promotion of hygiene education programmes with community-based training sessions to raise awareness about the importance of hygiene and sanitation practices.
• Collaboration with local organizations: Partner with local NGOs and government agencies to provide comprehensive support and resources for water and hygiene initiatives.

IOM will support access to safe, dignified, and sustainable shelter solutions in Ecuador, addressing the needs of communities affected by migration, insecurity, displacement, and climate change. These efforts will focus on the following key areas:

• Removing barriers to secure accommodation by facilitating access to rental housing, providing information on housing options.
• Offering financial and technical assistance to improve access to adequate shelter.
• Improving habitability in the short, medium, and long term through the provision of shelter materials, repairs, and enhanced building practices, prioritizing nature-based measures, in collective centres and rented accommodations. 
• Supporting individual and collective shelters with privacy measures, thermal efficiency improvements, and accessibility features.
• Providing essential household items, including fuel/energy for cooking and heating, lighting, sleeping materials, food storage, and personal clothing, to enable dignified living conditions.
• Distribution of NFIs in areas most affected by insecurity, migrants' transit, inequalities and poverty.

IOM will also implement a settlement approach, including: 

• Conducting settlement analysis and broad stakeholder engagement to map needs, gaps, and priorities using data-driven assessments and participatory approaches.
• Development and implementation of a Settlement Action Plan with prioritized interventions, timelines, and coordination mechanisms for integrated programming.

IOM Ecuador will facilitate safe, dignified, and organized movement assistance for individuals and groups traveling temporarily or permanently within Ecuador or across international borders. This includes support for migrants, refugees, displaced populations,  and other vulnerable groups in both crisis and non-crisis settings. Key activities will focus on: 

• Coordination of evacuations and emergency relocations for populations affected by natural hazards, violence, or displacement.
• Movement assistance to facilitate family reunification and social support mechanisms to ensure long-term stability.

To enhance the coordination and effectiveness of the response, key efforts will focus on strengthening inter-agency mechanisms at the local and national levels. These actions also aim to improve communication, engage donors, strengthen internal capacities for strategic planning and implementation:

• Strengthened Coordination Mechanisms: Enabling and support for inter-agency coordination spaces at the local and national levels—including plenary sessions, sectoral meetings, and thematic groups (e.g., GBV, integration, information management)—through logistical and infrastructural support in 10 localities.
• Strategic Communication and Donor Engagement: Development and distribution of communication materials to key stakeholders (GTRM partners, donors, and government counterparts), while also leading engagement strategies with donors and the private sector for migration-related funding.