Highlights
On May 18th, two aftershocks took place at 2:57am and 11:46am of 6.7 and 6.8 in the Richter scale, respectively. Buildings and water systems already damaged from the earthquake on April 16th were further affected, there was an increase in the number of people injured and the psycho-social situation of affected families and children has worsened and requires support.
Following these aftershocks, one 72m2 plastic tent, tarpaulin, 90 kg HTH, 6,000 water purifying tablets (60,000 liters) and 400 collapsible jerrycans (10 l) were immediately distributed for the most affected people in canton Muisne.
UNICEF’s presence in COEs is steadily increasing; in field coordination, response and advocacy activities are now enhanced through a more permanent response teams in the affected area.
Marita Perceval (UNICEF LACRO Regional Director) and Grant Leaity (UNICEF Ecuador Representative) visited the local COE in Pedernales and had meetings with the Minister Coordinator of Security, Minister Coordinator of Social Development, Governor of Esmeraldas, among other authorities.
UNICEF is providing Child Protection information and training 450 emergency first responders and armed force officials in charge of camp management in a joint effort with UNCHR and IOM, from the protection sector, in particular.
600 teachers in the municipalities of Muisne, Jama and Pedernales have benefitted from the capacity in risk management, preparedness and appropriate response in order to be ready for new aftershocks.
Sports and recreational activities aimed at psychosocial recuperation of 4,000 children and adolescents in the province of Esmeraldas, continues to be provided under UNICEF partnership with the Ministry of Sports and FUDELA, after the training offered by Caravana de Deporte y Arte with the support from the Brazil UNICEF Country Office.
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
On 16 April, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck coastal areas in northwest Ecuador causing widespread damage (720,000 people affected, of whom 350,000 are in need of urgent assistance) and loss of life (663 people dead). On May 18th, two aftershocks took place (6.7 and 6.8 in the Richter´s scale) which killed one person. As consequence of pre-existing vulnerabilities and inequalities, humanitarian needs persist particularly in rural areas and amongst highly vulnerable communities. The impact and priority needs of the population are now clearer and response plans are more detailed now.
As of May 18th, the government reported 663 fatalities, 9 missing persons, and 6,274 injured people. Some 7,000 buildings were destroyed. Up to 560 schools were damaged and 50 health facilities destroyed or damaged. There are currently 28,7752 people residing in official collective shelters with an unknown number of people living with host families or in spontaneous sites. Assessments, especially in rural areas, are still ongoing and numbers of affected people are still changing. Infrastructure, including many roads and bridges, was severely damaged, resulting in logistics, access and communications challenges for the delivery of assistance. There is high risk of mosquito-borne disease such as Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue fever, posing an immediate public health threat. The aftershocks have worsen more the vulnerabilities and urgent needs: affected families and children are now even more in need to receive psycho-social and emotional support; buildings and water systems, already damaged from the earthquake on April 16th, were further affected. Safe water, sanitation and hygiene, emergency and temporary shelter solutions, health, protection, food assistance and education remain important in urban settings, and are particularly profound in rural communities.