Esmeraldas Oil Spill Relief Fund

On March 13th, 2025, a rupture in Petro Ecuador's trans-Ecuadorian oil pipeline system caused an oil spill in Quinindé, Esmeraldas, Ecuador. 25,116 barrels of crude oil were spilled, the worst oil spill in Ecuador's history. Over 500,000 people in Esmeraldas, majority Afro-Ecuadorian families, have been left without water compromising not only their water supply but also food supply, health and biodiversity of ancestral territories.

In the northwestern coast of Ecuador lies the province of Esmeraldas. Esmeraldas, also known as Green Land, is notorious for its variety of vegetation, biodiversity of flora and fauna, mangroves, the Pacific ocean, the Chocó forest and its rich history and culture that stems from Afro-Ecuadorians, formerly enslaved Africans. Yet, this region has historically been discriminated against and has become the abandoned province in Ecuador. Nor has the state responded properly towards this recent catastrophic event.

Due to its abundance of natural resources, Esmeraldas plays a crucial role in the country’s economy. Out of the three oil refineries that Ecuador has, Esmeralda’s refinery has the highest capacity of petroleum processing of 110,000 barrels. Esmeraldas refinery also has the most accidents yearly.

This generates social conflicts, forced displacement of communities, environmental pollution and loss of biodiversity. The constant oil spills in the region affect Afro-

Ecuadorian communities, who depend on the environment for their livelihoods. Fishing, agriculture, and water quality are severely compromised. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to this toxic waste causes illnesses.

Extractivism tends to concentrate in areas inhabited by Black and Indigenous communities who historically have been excluded from decisions that affect their territories. It’s not a coincidence that these projects are established in their lands! This reflects how racism is manifested through environmental destruction, maintaining a colonial and extermination project.

The Afro-Ecuadorian communities in Esmeraldas don’t only fight against the direct impacts of extractivism, but also against the lack of access to justice and reparation. The state and corporations don’t respond with urgency nor contribute to creating substantial transformation in the territories of origin.

What can we do?

Along with the many other causes mainly taking place in Ecuador such as donation collection points and bank money transfers, ElCambioEC hopes to count on international support to serve as a major aid to families in Esmeraldas. Donate to this GoFundMe to help distribute immediate needs to families impacted. Immediate needs which include: