The 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Esmeraldas, Ecuador gave me more than a little jolt. An earthquake of that caliber is strong enough to send buildings down to the ground. The aftershocks would be strong and hard to predict as well. I was stunned when I heard the tragic news while coming home from WPI’s Relay for Life. When my family checked in as safe, my nerves eased, and I thanked the omnipotent spirit for sheltering my family, especially my grandfather, who recently flew back to Ecuador after receiving medical treatment in the U.S. It is heartbreaking to realize that not every family was as fortunate as ours.
According to CNN, the number of lives lost due to this natural disaster has risen to 413 people over this Monday night. The amount of people injured is estimated at about 2,500 civilians. Within these reported numbers lie the lives of men, women, and children. The victims may have been out at shops, making their weekly purchases or selling their wares on what started out as an ordinary Saturday evening along the coast at 7 p.m. Whether we can imagine it or not, families have been torn apart in the South of our continent; and the pain is widespread.
Emergency rescue teams in Esmeraldas are still excavating the debris for survivors. Sadly, the search for the living will soon turn into the search for loved ones who did not make it. Neighboring countries were the first to provide emergency aid, with Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile sending humanitarian aid. Spain is also said to be sending assistance from the other side of the world, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has offered U.S. help.
The seismic quake was felt nearly 500 kilometers (about 300 miles) away from the Esmeraldas Province epicenter, in the dense city of Guayaquil. This is where the prevalent video taken in the supermarket takes place. Despite the distance from the epicenter, Guayaquil suffered from downed buildings and loss of life as well.
Ecuador is a small republic in South America, between Colombia and Peru. For decades, the Ecuadorian economy has struggled, with many heads of household immigrating to Europe, the U.S. and neighboring South American countries to find enough work to provide for their children, spouses, and aging parents. Poverty is rampant within the most affected province of Esmeraldas, attributing to the difficulty with future rebuilding efforts.
Although the people of Esmeraldas, Ecuador may lack socioeconomic strength, they deserve, not our pity, but our undivided help. As college students, we may not be able to fly over to assist in the rebuilding, and we may not be able to contribute large donations. However, raising awareness of the cause will influence those who can assist the efforts to do so. We have the power to make a difference for the thousands of people affected in the catastrophic earthquake in Ecuador. Let’s make an impact. Let’s leave our mark. Let’s fight for Ecuador, prepared and in solidarity.
Please consider donating to those affected by the disaster:
UNICEF: https://www.unicefusa.org/donate/support-unicefs-e...
World Vision: http://donate.worldvision.org/ways-to-give/disaste...
GoFundMe (WPI): https://www.unicefusa.org/donate/support-unicefs-e...
