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Published On: Wed, Apr 27th, 2016

IOM calls for over 9 million in relief for Ecuador earthquake victims

Following the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Ecuador’s Pacific coast on April 16th, the government has declared a “state of emergency” in the six provinces of Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Rios, Manabi, Santo Domingo and Santa Elena.

Entire neighborhoods on Ecuador’s Pacific coast were flattened by the 7.8 earthquake. Photo courtesy of IOM

Entire neighborhoods on Ecuador’s Pacific coast were flattened by the 7.8 earthquake. Photo courtesy of IOM

At least 655 deaths and at least 4,605 injuries have been reported. Over 40,000 people are internally displaced and at least 29,000 are sheltering in public spaces, including sports stadiums. Over 6,698 buildings have been completely destroyed and 2,740 seriously damaged, including 281 schools. The government and aid agencies estimate that over 720,000 people are in need of humanitarian aid.

Severe damage to roads and bridges has limited access to many of the affected areas and made it difficult for the government and aid workers to assess the full extent of the damage. Damage to telecommunications infrastructure and repeated aftershocks, including one registering 6.3 on the Richter Scale, are compounding the logistics challenge. Official estimates of the extent of the damage are expected to rise.

IOM has a main office located in the capital, Quito, and over 60 staff in country. This capacity was strengthened immediately after the quake through a contribution of USD 500,000 from its Migration Emergency Funding Mechanism, which enabled the immediate deployment of a rapid response team with expertise in camp coordination and camp management (CCCM), shelter, displacement tracking, and logistics.

IOM is now appealing for USD 9,250,000 from donors over the next three months for activities in its capacity as sector lead for CCCM, co-lead with IFRC for Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFI), and a partner in the Early Recovery sector.

Visit IOM for more information and other related news, click HERE

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