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Development and Peace stands in solidarity with the people of Ecuador following devastating earthquake

Countries
Ecuador
Sources
Development and Peace — Caritas Canada
Publication date
Origin
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April 18, 2016
Montréal

Development and Peace – Caritas Canada is closely monitoring the situation in Ecuador after a violent earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, struck the country on Saturday April 16, 2016. The organization stands in solidarity with the victims of this quake, the worst experienced by Ecuador since 1979.

According to the latest information, the death toll has reached at least 350 people, but is expected to increase as rescue teams continue to search through rubble for survivors. Over 2,000 people were injured and 10,000 more are in need of assistance. A state of emergency has been declared by the government.

Development and Peace has allocated $50,000 to support emergency relief efforts. Caritas Ecuador, a Development and Peace partner organization, is in constant contact with its field teams and has begun an evaluation in order to identify the needs of survivors and prepare to assist them in the best way possible.

Development and Peace has been working in Ecuador since the beginning of the 1970s. The organization supports indigenous groups, particularly women from vulnerable communities, as well as human rights defenders, and peasant farmers.

For more information, please contact:
Khoudia Ndiaye, Communications Officer
514-257-8711 ext. 318
kndiaye@devp.org