This morning I woke to the sound of birds outside my window and the fresh smell of red bud trees that always dress my university with violet flowers this time of year. Nevertheless, one thing remains printed on my mind, more than the beauty of springtime. It is the reality that the country of Ecuador lies in ruins.
On April 16th Ecuador suffered a detrimental earthquake with a 7.8 magnitude, killing hundreds, wounding thousands and leaving many cities a pile of rubble and bricks. A second earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 shook the shores of Ecuador once again on April 20th, throwing people in a panic of distress as to when this nightmare will subside. News sources, such as the The New York Times, say the country was already struggling with a vulnerable economy. Now, with the lack of crucial supplies and communication things couldn’t be worse.
Surprisingly the government isn’t the main source of aid in Ecuador’s time of need. It appears that civil society is doing most of the work to bring the country back to its feet. News sources say the death toll has risen to 654 and still many are unaccounted for. The costs for reconstruction will be roughly $3 billion. Yet, the most amazing factor is the willingness of everyone in the country to come together in support.
Within the span of a week after the earthquake, support videos painted social media networks across the internet with footage of the destroyed villages and cities of Ecuador. The government has started a donation fund called Give Me 5 For Ecuador, providing a direct outlet for supporters to donate money. The program involves a three step process to gain momentum and reach a wide audience.
(1.) Make a donation of 5 dollars to giveme5forecuador.com (2.) Take a selfie with your hand showing your support and upload it to any social media account with the website URL. (3.) Make the movement global by tagging 5 friends and inviting them to donate.
It’s easy to write off natural disasters that happen in developing countries because they occur on a daily basis. But this movement serves as a personal way to get involved with the relief support of a devastated country. Not only has it been a way to financial endorse Ecuador but it also brings global awareness to a country in need.
