In Ecuador, for a large portion of the population, the “stay at home” measures implemented to halt the spread of COVID-19 have meant losses of income and limited access to food or even clean water. These restrictions have also put a strain on smallholder producers’ access to markets, in turn creating bottlenecks in the flow of goods and services in certain towns and cities. 

Specifically in the Morona Santiago province, families in Alvaro’s community, the Huamboya community, have had trouble obtaining fresh products, such as milk, eggs and vegetables, because of the restrictions on movement.