Over 400 people have died and over 2,000 people have been injured in a devastating earthquake in Ecuador, and many Calgarians are mobilizing to help in any way they can.
Calgary-based Samaritan’s Purse says they already have a team on the ground in the South American nation, with another 50 aid workers scheduled to arrive by the end of the week.
Brent Davis, a disaster manager with Samaritan’s Purse, says workers will have a variety of challenges to deal with in Ecuador. “We’re gonna be dealing with crush injuries and injuries that need to be medically treated right away or else infection sets in. Also, we know there will be incredible need for clean water and for shelter.”
Cristina Almeida, one of about 500 Ecuadorians who now live in Calgary, said she got a text from her parents in Quito on Saturday night, telling her that they were all right.
She spoke to them afterwards on the phone, but say the situation is very scary. “It was very strong. Lots of things started falling but we are okay.”
She’s now started a Facebook page called ‘Calgary helping Ecuador’ for Calgarians looking to help the survivors and raise awareness about the challenges they face.
“That’s the sad part. Just seeing people looking for kids, for parents, brothers and sisters, it’s just heartbreaking,” she says.
Survivors of the quake are now sleeping outside with no water or electricity, officials say. They refuse to go inside any of the remaining buildings, fearing that any aftershock could knock them down too.
Two Canadians, Jennifer Mawn and her 12-year-old son Arthur LaFlamme were killed when their house collapsed in the earthquake. The family, including dad Pascal and daughter Laurie-Anne who both survived had recently moved to Ecuador.
Ecuador’s consulate, based in Vancouver, said the best way for Canadians to help would be to donate to the Red Cross.
(With files from Lea Williams-Doherty)
