International
Hundreds of elderly abandoned in Ecuador as families migrate abroad
Approximately 400 elderly individuals in Ecuador are surviving with the help of neighbors and the solidarity of local authorities in the Andean province of Chimborazo after being abandoned by their families when they migrated abroad.
The phenomenon of migration, common in the area, has evolved, as previously it was only one family member – usually the head of the household – who would migrate and send remittances, but now entire families are leaving in search of better living conditions abroad.
Hermel Tayupanda Cuvi, the prefect of Chimborazo, told EFE that many people, especially from the municipalities of Alausí, Chunchi, Guamote, Colta, and Riobamba, are migrating to North America, leaving with their respective children or spouses.
“There are no longer voters,” he said, noting that while Colta’s voter registry lists 45,000 voters, only about 30,000 actually turn out to vote: “the remaining 15,000 have not passed away but are no longer here.”
Although remittances are not flowing as they did before, according to the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE), in the second quarter of 2023, Chimborazo received $51.88 million in remittances, marking a 16.28% increase from the first quarter of 2023 and a 42.79% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
With 62.75%, Riobamba, the provincial capital, accounted for the majority of remittance inflows, with the remainder distributed among Alausí, Chunchi, Guamote, Pallatanga, Cumandá, and other cities.
Solidarity
Tayupanda emphasized that with the decline in remittance money, “only the elderly remain, the very elderly parents.”
“And here, we have to do a small fundraiser. We also have small projects to take food, home visits, and phone calls to children to send money because the elderly are being left abandoned, without the care of their children,” he warned.
The prefect estimated that relatives of between 2,000 and 3,000 elderly individuals transfer money to taxi drivers to purchase groceries and deliver them to their homes.
Additionally, these elderly individuals care for their sheep and guinea pigs during the week and sell them at the market on weekends or send someone to do so.
“But there are a few who are completely abandoned, whose children do not return, perhaps there are about 300 or 400 people,” Tayupanda estimated, noting that the community helps them.
Furthermore, the Prefecture is seeking ways to support them. “We have gone to deliver any kind of food purchases with our own funds. What we earn as directors and coordinators, we contribute in some way, a little salary from the year, from our own pocket, and we create a common fund to go and deliver these food items to the elderly,” the prefect said.
Patronage and Ministries in Ecuador
Through the Patronage, the elderly receive medical attention in the communities, said Tayupanda, within the framework of a visit by diplomats from European countries, led by the Ambassador of the European Union (EU), Charles-Michel Geurts, to Chimborazo to analyze, in the area, possibilities of assistance in different areas.
“As there are 1,800 communities in the province of Chimborazo, it is impossible to reach everyone,” Tayupanda acknowledged, noting that they also receive support from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion (MIES).
Most of the completely abandoned elderly are in Colta, Guamote, Alausí, Chunchi, and “they have already started to increase here in Riobamba, Guano… the young people are no longer seeking the countryside, they are more looking for the city,” he added.
Precisely, the mayor of Alausí, Remigio Roldán, told EFE that from his municipality, “complete families have left” for the United States and Spain “because the governments have not addressed solving problems.”
“The children have emigrated to the United States, generally, and the parents, the elderly, have been left alone at home,” he noted, explaining that with the MIES, he has a gerontology center, and they also visit homes and develop social projects for the elderly.
“Many have forgotten about their parents, the elderly,” he lamented, noting that there are around 200 elderly individuals “completely alone” in his municipality, and neighbors help them as much as they can and collect donations to provide clothing and food.
International
Zelenski urges global action after russian ballistic missile strike
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski called on the international community Thursday to “respond” to Russia’s ballistic missile strike on Ukraine, which he said has heightened the “escalation and brutality” of the conflict.
“The world must react. So far, there has been no strong response,” Zelenski lamented in a social media statement.
“We must act. We must pressure. We must push Russia towards real peace, which is only achievable through strength,” he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Thursday that Russia had launched a new type of hypersonic ballistic missile against Ukraine in its “non-nuclear configuration.”
International
Elon Musk plans sweeping cuts to U.S. bureaucracy and spending
Elon Musk has pledged massive cuts to government programs, subsidies, and bureaucracy in his anticipated role as a “State Efficiency” leader, according to an article published Wednesday in The Wall Street Journal.
The billionaire entrepreneur plans to target hundreds of billions of dollars in federal spending, including funds for public broadcasting and Planned Parenthood. Musk called government bureaucracy an “existential threat” to American democracy.
Teaming up with fellow businessman and Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk aims to streamline federal regulations and implement significant administrative and cost reductions.
“We are entrepreneurs, not politicians. We will serve as external volunteers, not federal officials or employees,” Musk and Ramaswamy stated in the article.
International
Putin warns of escalation, suggests strikes on western weapon suppliers
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that the conflict in Ukraine is taking on the characteristics of a “global war,” warning that Russia might target Western nations supplying Ukraine with weapons used in attacks on Russian territory.
These remarks come after a day of heightened tensions, during which Russia launched a state-of-the-art medium-range missile designed to carry a nuclear warhead. However, this particular missile was loaded with conventional explosives.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the missile strike, calling it the action of a “deranged neighbor” using Ukraine as a “military testing ground.”
Earlier, Ukraine accused Russia of attacking the central-eastern city of Dnipro with a missile exhibiting “all the characteristics” of an intercontinental missile, an unprecedented development in the ongoing conflict.
Zelenski urges global action after russian ballistic missile strike
Elon Musk plans sweeping cuts to U.S. bureaucracy and spending
Putin warns of escalation, suggests strikes on western weapon suppliers
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Ecuador prison riot leaves at least 43 dead
-
International5 days agoPedro Sánchez to explain government’s handling of deadly floods in congress appearance
-
International3 days agoMore than 20 dead and a hundred injured in several missile attacks against residential areas of Odessa and Sumi
-
International5 days agoFire in India’s Jhansi Hospital kills 10 newborns
-
International5 days agoSinaloa cartel network dismantled in Spain following kidnapping and ransom incident
-
International24 hours agoThe US claims that China has rejected a meeting between its Defense chiefs in Laos
-
International2 days agoEtruscan artifacts targeted in black market scheme uncovered in Umbria
-
International3 days agoThe number of deaths rises to 111 in Gaza in one of the most violent days of the month
-
International2 days agoIran expands uranium stockpile to near weapons-grade levels
-
Tecnología2 days agoAI chip industry shifts focus as Nvidia faces new competition
-
International3 days agoThe presidential candidates in Uruguay promised in a debate not to raise taxes
-
International3 days agoThe Kremlin accuses the United States of throwing “firewood” by authorizing Ukraine to use long-range missiles
-
International24 hours agoOne-week preventive detention for Princess Mette-Marit’s son of Norway for rape
-
International24 hours agoThe next attorney general Matt Gaetz manages to stop the report on his sex scandal
-
International24 hours ago85% of Haiti’s capital has fallen into the power of gangs, according to UN reports
-
International3 days agoAntónio Guterres asks G20 leaders to “take a step forward” for peace in Ukraine and Gaza
-
International5 days agoSeven british citizens arrested in Spain for hashish trafficking 1.2 tons seized
-
International1 hour agoLebanon reports deadly airstrikes: 40 killed in Bekaa, 12 in southern regions
-
International1 hour agoTrump appoints Pam Bondi as future U.S. attorney general
-
International1 hour agoIMF: Spain’s economy remains resilient despite devastating floods
-
International1 hour agoPutin warns of escalation, suggests strikes on western weapon suppliers
-
International3 days agoHezbulá regrets the death of its spokesman in an Israeli bombing in Beirut
-
International1 hour agoMatt Gaetz withdraws from attorney general nomination amid political tensions
-
International1 hour agoElon Musk plans sweeping cuts to U.S. bureaucracy and spending
-
International55 mins agoZelenski urges global action after russian ballistic missile strike