Faith-Based Groups and International Community Offer Aid to Ecuador Earthquake Victims

Manabi Ecuador earthquake
Faith based relief organizations such as World Vision have responded to offer immediate aid to the victims of the Ecuador earthquake. Buildings have collapsed on this sidewalk in Manabi, Ecuador due to the 7.3-magnitude earthquake. |

Rescue and relief work continues in Ecuador in the aftermath of the most devastating earthquake in decades, which has claimed over 500 lives and injured more than 2,500, according to latest reports.

Many faith-based humanitarian agencies and different countries around the world are sending disaster response teams to Ecuador to help finding the survivors and provide food and shelter.

World Vision is one of the Christian charities that is helping the earthquake victims at the grassroots level. It has plans to reach up to 10,000 people in the most-affected areas along the country's north-western coast, and to distribute emergency items such as mosquito nets, hygiene supplies, and water treatment systems.

"This is the worst earthquake to strike Ecuador since 1979. It was a truly terrifying event felt across the country. The people of Ecuador spent a long, sleepless night worried about further shocks," said Jose Luis Ochoa, World Vision's national director in Ecuador.

"Right now, our primary concern is ensuring the needs of children and their families are met. World Vision is in the process of setting up Child Friendly Spaces where children and young people can access psychosocial care and mitigate any emotional distress," he continued.

World Vision has worked in Ecuador for the last four decades, and promptly responded to the disaster, by setting up two temporary shelters, and giving out hygiene products, food, water, and other necessities.

Samaritan's Purse, another Christian charity, is covering the devastated regions by sending specialists and medical personnel via three DC-8 cargo planes, which will also carry 40 tons of emergency supplies.

The group will build shelters to house at least 5,000 people, set up mobile hospital to see up to 100 patients a day, and will seek to bring clean water to 50,000 residents.

 "The earthquake in Ecuador has caused incredible death, injury, destruction, and loss. We're responding as quickly as possible to help with emergency needs such as water, shelter, and medical care. We help in the Name of Jesus Christ and want to show people His love. Please keep them in your prayers," said Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham.

MAP International, a global Christian health and relief organization, will be supplying shelter and medical needs, including standardized emergency health kits designed specifically for disaster victims.

The international community is helping Ecuador recover from the crisis on a grand scale. Scores of countries from different regions of the world have pledged their monetary and logistic support, apart from providing for food and shelter.

The EU has released €1 million which will be contributed as humanitarian aid to earthquake victims, while the EU Civil Protection Mechanism will send urban search and rescue teams (USAR) and other expertise. Spain, France, Poland have offered their assistance.

Rescue teams from Venezuela are working to assist in pulling out victims trapped underneath collapsed buildings.

The Red Cross Society of China has donated 100,000 US dollars in cash to impart emergency assistance to Ecuador, while the Chinese government will provide satellite pictures to Ecuador for relief work, and is making a humanitarian assistance plan to help out the victims.

Palestine is also among several other nations sending aid to Ecuador in the form of medical professionals, supplies, and medicines.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa told reporters that it could take $3 billion to rebuild the country, which is 3 percent of nation's gross domestic product.

"It's going to be a long battle," he said.