UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has presence in Ecuador since 2000 to deliver protection and promote the inclusion of asylum-seekers, refugees, stateless people, and other people who were forced to leave their countries.

The operation collaborates with national authorities, non-governmental organizations and communities, as well as with the international community present in the country. UNHCR strives to provide a comprehensive and multi-faceted protection and assistance, either during emergencies or with a long-term perspective. The wide variety of activities is mainly are coordinated from the country office in Quito as well as through Sub-Offices in Quito, Guayaquil, and Ibarra, to reach nearly all the Ecuadorian territory. UNHCR also has field offices in Esmeraldas and Lago Agrio, and field units in Tulcan, Huaquillas, Cuenca and Manta.

Ecuador is a country of destination and transit for people in need of international protection. Over the past two decades, the country has been hosting one of Latin America’s largest recognized refugee populations, the majority of whom fled from Colombia. Ecuador has also become a main destination for Venezuelan refugees and migrants.