Switzerland aids earthquake survivors in Ecuador

Switzerland stands in solidarity with the people of Ecuador in the wake of the powerful earthquake that struck this Latin American country. The day after the earthquake, the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Department deployed experts from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) based in Colombia and Bolivia to the disaster-stricken areas, and dispatched additional experts from Switzerland shortly thereafter. These disaster-assessment specialists travelled to Chamanga, on the Pacific Coast, to evaluate the situation in the disaster zone. Clean drinking water and shelter are the most urgent needs. A drinking-water specialist from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) will arrive today to support the five-member team, which will begin immediately to process drinking water and distribute it to the approximately 6,000 inhabitants of Chamanga. The operation will be expanded as quickly as possible to the town of Pedernales and the surrounding area, where the earthquake caused the most damage. An additional SHA water and logistics expert will therefore travel to the area next Sunday to join the operation.

The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Department has also seconded two experts to the UN for the international coordination, reception and distribution of humanitarian assistance.

The powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck Ecuador on Saturday evening, 16 April 2016, claiming hundreds of lives and causing major damage. The epicentre was on the Pacific Coast, 170km north of the capital, Quito. Aftershocks are still being felt.

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