ecuador earthquake
In April 2016, Ecuador was hit by a series of powerful earthquakes. The strongest was registered as 7.8 magnitude at 19km depth.
The quakes claimed at least 660 lives and left more than 4,600 people injured, UNICEF estimated that around 250,000 young people needed urgent assistance after the earthquakes. The quakes also damaged 29,672 buildings including 875 schools.
This is the worst earthquake to strike Ecuador since 1987. It was a truly terrifying event felt across the country.
- World Vision Ecuador's National Director - José Luis Ochoa
HOW WE HELPED?
Thanks to incredible supporters like you, we were able to help more than 124,000 people affected by the quake. We delivered packs for hygiene, shelter, cooking and water and helped over 29,000 affected families access clean drinking water.
Some highlights of our response
Child Protection
In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, we e established 22 Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) where nearly 3,400 girls, boys and adolescents were able to play and take part in arts and sports activities safely. The centres also provided psychosocial support, a sense of normalcy and guidance on how to keep safe in future earthquakes.
Photo: Now Roberto spends the day with friends at one of our Child Friendly Spaces.
I was listening to music at home when the earthquake started. I fell down and hit my body. I wanted to cry a lot.
- Roberto, 8
Children are always more vulnerable during emergencies. So, we distributed 10,000 brochures and 2,000 posters about protecting Children and Women in Emergencies, through both emergency shelters and public institutions.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
In coordination with Cadena Foundation of Mexico, the local Government of Jama Canton and the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion (MIES), we installed 24 thousand-litre tanks and 50 water purifying filters, giving 927 affected families access to clean and drinkable water. We also gave out 8,689 hygiene kits to help prevent disease.
Shelter
We distributed 5,146 shelter kits, 1,000 tarpaulins, 314 home repair kits and 33 bamboo houses to help affected families have somewhere safe to sleep.
With support from Start Fund, we helped alleviate the suffering and improve the living conditions of 1,383 families (5,221 people) affected by the earthquake in the towns of Rocafuerte and Crucita in Manabí Province.
Kits were delivered to 1,383 families (657 in Rocafuerte and 726 in Crucita) including:
- 331 water kits with water containers and purification tablets
- 773 personal hygiene kits (including towels, soap, washing soap, shampoo, tooth brushes and toothpaste, deodorant, razors, toilet paper, sanitary towels, bug repellent, nappies and a plastic bucket)
- 585 shelter kits (including tarpaulin, ropes and tools)
- 1,147 bedding kits (including essential bedding such as mattresses, pillows, blankets and insecticide-treated bed nets)
- 352 kitchen sets.
What happens next?
Families have now moved from surviving the disaster to rebuilding their lives. We'll stay alongside them through this time, supporting them to get back on their feet.
THANK YOU
So far you've helped us raise over £44,000 for those impacted by the earthquake in Ecuador.
You can help and protect more children affected by disasters like this by giving to our World Vision General Emergency Fund