Ecuador
We help rehabilitate and defend the rights of young people in conflict with the law. We also protect children from exploitation and risky migration. Our projects aim to prevent early pregnancy.
The situation in Ecuador
Ecuador has some very poor areas, and many children do not have access to basic healthcare. Violence is a major problem, and homicide is one of the main causes of death for young people. This can partly be explained by the fact that women and young people with atypical backgrounds have little place in society. It is difficult for minorities to integrate.
What we do
Juvenile justice
We help young people in conflict with the law avoid incarceration by developing alternative measures that encourage rehabilitation. We work in coordination with the justice system and Tdh's other juvenile justice programmes. Courses allow participants to develop their juvenile justice skills, prevent violence and ensure young people's basic rights are respected. Over 1,000 judges, public prosecutors, lawyers, police officers, teachers and prison staff participated in 2015.
Child migrants
Our projects aim to protect children and young people who lack opportunities and are at risk of child labour in their home and host communities. Our local experts provide academic support and access to better information. They also run advocacy activities targeting authorities and work to improve gender equality. After signing an agreement on child mobility with parliament, we have become one of the region's key actors.
Mother and child health
In Santo Domingo province, we work with health services to improve the health of children and their mothers, who are often still adolescents. In 2014, our operations in the health field were taken over by the government. Since 2015, our local teams have focused on preventing early pregnancy in a country where 26% of women say they gave birth before 19. In 2015, we helped over 3’000 mothers and children.
Earthquake emergency intervention
On 16th April 2016, an earthquake registering 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the Ecuadorian coast, leaving hundreds of fatalities and making thousands of people homeless. Tdh quickly started working in the camps set up by the government, developing psychosocial and recreational activities designed to help children. Tdh also distributes essential goods and hygiene products to improve the families’ living conditions in the camps. Finally, Tdh runs activities promoting health and hygiene like washing hands, managing water, promoting breastfeeding, and also offers access to drinking water.
Humberto, who is physically handicapped, grew up in a poor environment. His parents did not have the money to feed him properly. When he met one of Terre des hommes' community workers, he was malnourished. He was given treatment and follow-up care.
Humberto, a resident in one of the communities of Santo Domingo de los Colorados
Read more...Key projects
Terre des hommes in Ecuador
Beneficiaries in 2015
6,285 people
Expatriate staff / National staff
1 / 50
Budget 2016
CHF 681'099.-
Programme locations
200 rural and urban communities around the country, as well as Carchi, Quito and Santo Domingo
Local partners
the Niñez y Vida foundation
Where we work
Supported by
Medicor Foundation
Timeline
1988
Tdh begins operations in Ecuador by opening centres welcoming children left to fend for themselves in a public dump in Quito. Our project is quickly taken over by the Niñez y Vida foundation, a local NGO.
1991
Tdh launches a project to create self-organised childcare centres in Quito's underprivileged neighbourhoods.
2002
Tdh begins supporting a project tackling child abuse and domestic violence in the capital's underprivileged neighbourhoods.
2006
A project supporting mother and child health, child protection and community development is launched in Santo Domingo.
Latest news
See all...
Previous
18.08.2016
World Humanitarian Day: For our teams in the field, children come first.
19.09.2017
Ecuador: The leap to slavery of the children of Cotacachi
Next
12.06.2017
New report about exploitation: effects of climate change and environmental degradation on child labour
Previous
19.09.2017
Ecuador: The leap to slavery of the children of Cotacachi
12.06.2017
New report about exploitation: effects of climate change and environmental degradation on child labour
Previous
12.06.2017
New report about exploitation: effects of climate change and environmental degradation on child labour
30.05.2017
Online course in juvenile justice
Previous
30.05.2017
Online course in juvenile justice
11.05.2017
2016: Tdh child relief reaches a new peak with 3 million beneficiaries
Previous
11.05.2017
2016: Tdh child relief reaches a new peak with 3 million beneficiaries
06.02.2017
New! MyTdh: launch your own child support campaign
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06.02.2017
New! MyTdh: launch your own child support campaign
21.11.2016
Restorative justice for children promoted by Ibero-American heads of state
Previous
21.11.2016
Restorative justice for children promoted by Ibero-American heads of state
05.10.2016
Ecuador: rattled by more than 2,000 aftershocks
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05.10.2016
Ecuador: rattled by more than 2,000 aftershocks
09.09.2016
Terre des hommes 2017 wall calendar: A year full of smiles
Previous
09.09.2016
Terre des hommes 2017 wall calendar: A year full of smiles
18.08.2016
World Humanitarian Day: For our teams in the field, children come first.
Next
19.09.2017
Ecuador: The leap to slavery of the children of Cotacachi
Related publications
Making an Impact for Children: Annual Report 2016
Community practices in child protection. Examples of Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Nicaragua
Thematic Policy 2014 - Restorative Juvenile Justice
