Humanitarian and technical assistance to the Ecuadorian people is a priority for the U.S. Mission to Ecuador. This support will continue throughout the second phase of reconstruction.
To date, the United States has provided more than $4 million in humanitarian assistance to help the people of Ecuador. This includes more than 80 tons of supplies that USAID has provided, which will address the urgent humanitarian needs of up to 50,000 people affected by the earthquake.
USAID, through the World Food Program, has supported emergency operations to provide locally procured in-kind food assistance to families in hard-hit Pedernales, Manta, and Esmeraldas. They also sent a team of experts in disaster recovery who are evaluating damage, identifying priority humanitarian needs, and providing information analysis on damage to buildings and infrastructure.
The United States has also supported Ecuadorian efforts to build logistical capacity in the hardest-hit areas, with work taking place under the Ecuadorian Director General of Civil Aviation. This work will amplify aerial operations at the Eloy Alfaro International Airport in Manta.
Alumni from various U.S. government-funded programs have also been working on relief efforts across Ecuador. The Youth Ambassadors (YA) network, a group of SUSI (Study of the U.S. Institute) and a group of IVLP (International Visitors Leadership Program) alumni, formed brigades to collect donations in their respective areas and delivered them to the Ecuadorian Red Cross, organized groups to provide psychological support for children in the most affected areas and created a commission force of professionals from various sectors to work on the economic recovery of the cities and towns affected by the earthquake .
Recently, Ambassador Chapman said that “the damage caused by this earthquake is vast and the needs are great, but we are seeing first-hand distribution of food and water and the hard-working spirit of Ecuadorians wanting to recover their cities. We will continue working with the Government of Ecuador and with our private sector and NGOs that have been actively engaged.”
