New York/Quito - UNDP regional expert for crisis and reconstruction Ugo Blanco and the Vice-minister for Housing and Urban Development of Ecuador Jorge Navas overflew some of the most devastated areas to assess the damage to infrastructure and housing in the five most affected towns. The objective is to estimate the volume of debris that needs to be immediately removed.
Nearly 7,000 buildings were destroyed and almost 1,000 severely damaged. UNDP will promote rapid housing repairs to prevent more families from moving into temporary camps.
UNDP has also opened a recovery office in the coastal city of Manta, around 260km outside of Quito, to immediately initiate reconstruction in the most quake-affected areas.
An online and mobile donations platform is also collecting funds to support the quake-affected population.
Donations received will be directed to five main areas: rehabilitation of key infrastructure, debris management, house repairs, short-term employment opportunities for affected communities and promotion of sustainable livelihoods.
UNDP, ranked the most transparent development agency worldwide for the second consecutive year, will be managing the funds working hand in hand with Ecuadorian agencies at the national and local levels, supporting the Government-led coordination with NGOs, UN agencies and other key partners.
UNDP has also deployed a team of experts to provide support in three areas: rapid assessment of damage and needs, recovery coordination and debris management—working hand in hand with Government agencies at the national and local levels.
UNDP experts will provide technical assistance on the adequate destruction of unsafe buildings and how to dispose of and recycle rubble, in line with the work done in the aftermath of other massive earthquakes, including in Haiti and in Nepal.
Contact Information
In Ecuador: Carmen.morales@undp.org; mariajose.lazo@undp.org;
In New York: Carolina Azevedo, Carolina.azevedo@undp.org