ABSTRACT
EDUARDO ALMEIDA NAVEDA The economic crisis which has ravaged Ecuador since 1995 worsened in 2000,
after popular movements successfully lobbied for the resignation of President
Janil Mahual, which led to a 500% devaluation and the replacement of the
national currency, the sucre, by the US dollar in an attempt to slow down
the ever-increasing rate of inflation. The social, economic and cultural crisis
has deepened over the years and has sparked the emigration of large
populations to various destinations in Europe and the United States, an exodus
that has traumatised an increasing number of divided families. This form of
forced emigration is progressing at an accelerated rate, and is following in the
footsteps of neighbouring countries who have experienced similar crises as a
result of the changes arising from the shake-up in the global economy and
the inadequate response of national economies to these changes.
