On April 16, 2016 an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude hit the coastal region of Ecuador, its epicenter was near the city of Pedermales in the Province of Manabi, despite its geographical location, the earthquakes massive nature also affected the provinces of Esmeraldas, Santa Elena, Guayas, Santo Domingo and Los Rios. All six Provinces have been declared in a State of Emergency in order to concentrate efforts in aiding those directly affected by this natural disaster.
Numbers of victims and wounded continue to be reported and infrastructural damage is on the rise with some areas deem as unsalvageable. According to the last official report sent by the Risk Management Secretariat of Ecuador
587 People Dead 155 People Missing 8,340 People Injured and receiving medical assistance 25,376 People in sheltered 1,125 buildings destroyed 829 buildings affected 281 schools affected
Since this incident, there have been 633 recorded aftershocks, however, on April 20th two major aftershocks took place at 03H33 and 03h35, with magnitudes of 6.1 and 6.3 respectively. Both events were located in the northern part of the country, few kilometers from Muisne in the Province of Esmeraldas.
Ecuadorian Government has informed to all its diplomat missions abroad that international cooperation should be channel in three stages:
Stage 1: Equipment and teams to rescue and evacuate victims.
State 2: Obtaining supply contributions such as: large camping tents. Sleeping bags, portable LED or rechargeable lamps, sanitary facilities and medicines.
Stage 3: Reconstruction of the affected areas.
According the instruction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, there is no more need of equipment and teams to rescue and evacuate victims. Now Ecuadorian missions abroad have to focus their efforts in order to obtain the supply contributions mentioned in number 2 and to start planning their work for the third stage.