Deadly earthquake strikes in Ecuador
Once again nature has intervened to adversely affect the lives of thousands of people.  The article below outlines ShelterBox’s current position following the earthquake in Ecuador.  Once the Response Team has made its assessment, ShelterBox will be in a position to start moving aid into the country.
 
We cannot ignore the plight of thousands of Ecuadorians now homeless, without good shelter and warmth, and deprived of human dignity.  ShelterBox hopes, once again, Rotary can come to the aid of the Ecuadorian people.
 
[ Image: Damage caused by the massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Ecuador (Wikimedia http://ow.ly/4mOf7B) ] 
 
Monday 18 April 2016
 
A ShelterBox response team is travelling to Ecuador to carry out assessments following a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake near the northern town of Muisne.

The devastation has been huge. Streets have cracked and many buildings have collapsed, leaving people homeless and causing thousands of casualties.

The ShelterBox operations team has been monitoring the situation since the earthquake took place on Saturday night, which has so far triggered heavy landslides and more than 130 aftershocks.

A ShelterBox response team, made up of Jon Berg (UK) and Kara Lapso (US), is now preparing to travel to Ecuador to assess the level of destruction and what type of emergency shelter is needed.

We already have aid positioned in neighbouring Colombia, as well as in Panama and Bolivia, which can be quickly transported into the country, but we need your help. Please donate to ShelterBox today to help us send out the response teams to deliver aid to where it is most needed.

Our ShelterBoxes can provide shelter and essential aid, like blankets, solar lights and water filters, for families who have lost their homes and belongings, while shelter kits contain heavy-duty tools and materials to help people rebuild damaged homes and buildings.

James Luxton, ShelterBox Operations Team Lead, said: ‘It is vital that we send a team to Ecuador to see what the situation is like on the ground.

‘Aftershocks and landslides, combined with current heavy rainfall in the country, not only mean that more homes could be destroyed, but that many families will be experiencing terrifying conditions without proper shelter.’

The earthquake in Ecuador follows large quakes in Japan, Myanmar, Vanuatu and Afghanistan last week. That's why we need your help. Please give what you can today to make sure no family is without shelter.
 
ROWLEY TOMPSETT CRLSS, JP
Chair, ShelterBox Australia Ltd (2015-)
Chair, Rotary International Zone 8 District Rotaract Representative Training (2015-17)
Rotarian Advisor to Rotaract Australia (2016-17)
Past Governor, Rotary International District 9710 Inc (2014-15)