Ecuador Earthquake Relief Fund

On Saturday evening, April 16 our team learned of the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that rocked Ecuador, causing 654 deaths and more than 27,000 injuries. Due to widespread damage to housing and infrastructure, more than 26,000 people have been relocated to temporary shelters.

In the hours that followed, we began reaching out to our nonprofit partners both in Ecuador and internationally, and launched this relief fund to support their work. To date eight GlobalGiving partners have begun relief efforts to assist survivors.

Your donation is already being put to use, supporting four organizations uniquely positioned to assist in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake:

• Teams from All Hands Volunteers are removing and disposing of rubble, taking down unsafe buildings, and distributing health and shelter kits. They also plan to build temporary shelters and safe spaces for children. 
• MAP International has airlifted enough emergency health kits and medicine into Ecuador to treat more than 80,000 survivors, as well as 250 water filters.
• In Ecuador’s hardest-hit communities, many families do not have the fuel necessary to cook or boil water, which increases their risk of contracting waterborne diseases. Fuel Relief Fund is delivering free fuel to families to cover their household cooking, water purification, and lighting needs for one month. 
• IsraAID has deployed its Emergency Relief Team to assist with relief efforts and the long-term response strategy. Their goals include delivering food and relief supplies, emergency medical assistance, and psychosocial support to the survivors of the quake, including the creation of child-friendly spaces.

In the coming weeks, we’ll share stories of how your donation is also funding Ecuador’s long-term recovery from the earthquake, led by locally driven nonprofits who are best-positioned to respond to the needs of their communities.

Thank you again for your generosity and joining a community of GlobalGivers committed to helping survivors recover.

Warmly,
Britt Lake + the GlobalGiving Team

P.S. Because you’ve generously supported disaster relief work on GlobalGiving, I’d like to invite you to a special event we’re holding on Wednesday, May 18th at 6pm EDT. “From the Front Lines: GlobalGiving Disaster Response Panel” will feature staff from our nonprofit partners who’ve responded to a range of disasters, including earthquakes in Japan, Ecuador, and Nepal, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and the Syrian refugee crisis. They’ll be sharing stories of their work and answering questions from attendees. You’re welcome to attend the panel either online or in-person at our Washington, D.C. office. Learn more about the event and RSVP today.