Shelter provides life-saving aid to people fleeing to Ecuador to save their lives

The first place at which people fleeing violence arrive is a shelter on the border between Ecuador and Colombia. With support from UNHCR and financing from the European Union, this shelter helps hundreds of people find a safe place for them to rebuild their lives.

"I had to flee because of constant fear," Sandra declared. "My children were exposed to drug use, fighting and recruitment by gangs," said Sandra, who was also subjected to physical and psychological abuse by her partner. "He's not a gang member, but he is friends with them and so he threatened me."
© UNHCR/Diana Díaz

Por: UNHCR Ecuador  |  26 de enero de 2023

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Sandra Patricia* arrived in a border city north of Ecuador, together with her 11-year-old daughter and a couple of suitcases containing clothes, documents, and other objects she deemed useful for them to rebuild their lives in Ecuador. Her heart, however, remained in Colombia, her country of origin.

“I was not able to bring them all with me,” said downcast Sandra while explaining that she decided to temporarily leave her son with Down syndrome back home with her mother, until Sandra regularizes her situation in Ecuador.

Sandra and Valeria*, her daughter, arrived in this shelter less than a week ago. More than 250 people are lodged in it every month. Like Sandra, these people are fleeing from violence and circumstances where they were unable to exercise their rights or have access to basic services. Many of them are Venezuelan refugees and migrants, but others come from Colombia. In fact, the number of Colombians entering Ecuador to seek international protection increased in 2022.

This shelter, whose name in Kichwa means ‘A home for a new life,’ is managed by the Tarabita Foundation with support from UNHCR and financing from the European Union. In this shelter, people like Sandra receive legal advice and temporary assistance.

Through these pictures, Sandra shares the reasons why she fled Colombia with her daughter and how the assistance they have received at the shelter has helped them in starting a new life in Ecuador.

*Names changed for protection

  • She recalls that she acted normally with her husband the day she left. "He went to work and we left the house. We took a bus and crossed the border. We were hungry and had no money on us. After an Ecuadorian family lodged us for a couple of days, I begged for coins to be able to reach the shelter."
    She recalls that she acted normally with her husband the day she left. "He went to work and we left the house. We took a bus and crossed the border. We were hungry and had no money on us. After an Ecuadorian family lodged us for a couple of days, I begged for coins to be able to reach the shelter." © UNHCR/Diana Díaz
  • "Doors have been lovingly opened for us here," she said with excitement. "We were given shelter, food, a hygiene kit... When someone needs help, not everyone is willing to give it. People here do it wholeheartedly, because they know that we are going through a difficult situation."
    "Doors have been lovingly opened for us here," she said with excitement. "We were given shelter, food, a hygiene kit... When someone needs help, not everyone is willing to give it. People here do it wholeheartedly, because they know that we are going through a difficult situation." © UNHCR/Diana Díaz
  • Supported by UNHCR and co-financed by the European Union, this shelter allows people on the move to receive basic items upon arrival, including hygiene kits, first aid, clothes, and shoes. People are also examined to determine whether they need a prescription or a medical check-up. In addition to lodging and three meals a day, adults receive information on how to seek asylum, while boys and girls play in a safe place.
    Supported by UNHCR and co-financed by the European Union, this shelter allows people on the move to receive basic items upon arrival, including hygiene kits, first aid, clothes, and shoes. People are also examined to determine whether they need a prescription or a medical check-up. In addition to lodging and three meals a day, adults receive information on how to seek asylum, while boys and girls play in a safe place. © UNHCR/Diana Díaz
  • "Often, the first thing someone needs after having fled their country is a place to sleep, a nutritious meal, and feeling safe," asserted Sonsoles Pérez, head of the Tarabita Foundation support program. "That's precisely what we offer here."
    "Often, the first thing someone needs after having fled their country is a place to sleep, a nutritious meal, and feeling safe," asserted Sonsoles Pérez, head of the Tarabita Foundation support program. "That's precisely what we offer here." © UNHCR/Diana Díaz
  • Ecuador is the country that hosts the largest number of Colombian refugees in the world, so much so that, in 2022, 4,280 Colombians sought protection in Ecuador. Historically, this has been a refugee host country – especially for people fleeing the armed conflict in Colombia. Ecuador hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the Americas, with an unprecedented record of 74,000 people recognized as refugees – 96% of them are Colombian.
    Ecuador is the country that hosts the largest number of Colombian refugees in the world, so much so that, in 2022, 4,280 Colombians sought protection in Ecuador. Historically, this has been a refugee host country – especially for people fleeing the armed conflict in Colombia. Ecuador hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the Americas, with an unprecedented record of 74,000 people recognized as refugees – 96% of them are Colombian. © UNHCR/Diana Díaz