All Hands has launched a project in response to the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Ecuador on April 16th. Our team of professionals is on the ground coordinating with national and international agencies in the humanitarian response. We are connecting suffering communities with people who want to help. We are seeing a need for debris management, distribution networks, and construction of shelters for families and safe spaces for children.
Ecuador has become crippled by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck on April 16. In addition to the high number of casualties, 805 buildings have been destroyed and 608 buildings have been affected, which includes 146 schools. Ecuador had already been experiencing flooding throughout the country prior to the earthquake, and it has only worsened due to the landslides that followed. Gaining access to the affected areas has been difficult and teams on the ground are seeing a real need for help.
Our expertise lies in our ability to safely, productively mobilize local and international volunteers in post-disaster scenarios. Our experienced staff is initially performing the labor-intensive tasks of removing and disposing of rubble, taking down unsafe buildings, and helping distribute health and shelter kits. We will be looking to fill needs not being met by other groups, and attending to under served populations. We also plan to construct temporary shelters and safe spaces for children.
We often stay with affected communities over the long term after our initial response to rebuild homes, schools, hospitals, and other buildings affected by the disaster. In an effort to revitalize the community we continue to focus our efforts on creating sustainable futures for the victims of disaster. The budget currently posted on this Global Giving page would cover the first three months of our commitment to help Ecuadorians in their time of need.
