Attachments
This bulletin is being issued for information only and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The Ecuadorian Red Cross (ERC), with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), is determining whether external assistance will be needed and the best manner in which to coordinate the assistance.
The situation
A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck northern Ecuador at 6:58 pm local time on 16 April 2016. According to the latest report from Ecuador’s National Secretariat for Risk Management (SNDGR), there have been 238 deaths, 1,577 injuries, 50 people have sought shelter in emergency collective centres, 370 buildings have been destroyed and 151 others have been affected, and 26 schools have been affected; no official information has been provided on the number of affected people. Ecuadorian Red Cross estimates that the numbers of affected people could reach up to 70,000-100,000 and with 3,000 to 5,000 needing emergency shelter. Some cities lost their electricity, but it is in the process of being restored.
Action by the authorities
A national state of emergency was declared. The entire national emergency operations centre (EOC) has been activated, in addition to the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works, the military and the national police (3,000 personnel). The ECU 911 Emergency System has been activated to assist with the emergency operations in the capital of Quito and the provinces of Manabí, Esmeraldas, Santa Elena, Guayas, Santo Domingo and Los Ríos.