Safety Message for U.S. Citizens
Update on April 16 earthquake
April 22, 2016
The U.S. Mission in Ecuador remains committed to assisting U.S. citizens in the aftermath of the April 16 earthquake, and sent a consular assistance team to Manabí this week to locate U.S. citizens needing assistance. Please contact us at EcuadorEmergencyUSC@state.gov if you need assistance, or by phone at the numbers at the end of this message.
We urge U.S. citizens in Ecuador who are safe to contact their loved ones directly and/or update their social media status, and we strongly encourage U.S. citizens traveling abroad to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at travel.state.gov so that you receive all official messages.
For U.S. citizens in Ecuador:
1. If you need assistance with passport services, please contact us.
2. If you need assistance in repatriation to the United States and do not have private sources of funding, please contact us. Please note that any financial assistance we provide is in the form of a loan.
3. If you need medical attention, please contact us and we can assist you in contacting medical resources.
If you reside in the affected area, have made the decision to remain, and do not need assistance with the issues listed above, the Ecuadorian government and international aid groups will be providing assistance in the form of food, water, and shelter to those remaining in the affected area.
The Government of Ecuador posts the most up-to-date information on the status of recovery efforts at http://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/. This website includes updated lists of “albergues y refugios” – which are local shelters. Updates on road conditions can be found athttp://www.obraspublicas.gob.ec/estado-de-las-vias-de-transporte/.
We strongly discourage traveling to Ecuador to provide direct assistance; those who are not trained emergency response officials often end up requiring assistance themselves. Instead, follow the advice of established organizations which are actively providing aid. Your help in the form of donations to aid organizations will have a far greater positive impact than putting yourself at risk by traveling to Ecuador. Please go to the Center for International Disaster Information’s website at www.cidi.org to find legitimate organizations.
During normal working hours, U.S. citizens in Ecuador who need emergency assistance can contact the U.S. Consulate General Guayaquil at 04-371-7000 or the U.S. Embassy Quito at 02-398-5000.
For emergency assistance to U.S. citizens outside of working hours, U.S. citizens can contact the U.S. Consulate General Guayaquil at 04-371-7000 or the U.S. Embassy Quito at 099-788-3222.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Ecuador enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Ecuador. For additional information, please refer to our “Traveler’s Checklist” page. Updated information on travel and security in Ecuador may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or by calling 1-202-501-4444 outside the United States.
Contact information
U.S. Embassy Quito
Avigiras E12-170 y Eloy Alfaro
Phone: +593-2-398-5000
E-mail: ACSQuito@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Guayaquil
Avenida Jose Rodriguez Bonin and Calle Santa Ana, San Eduardo
Phone: +593-4-371-7000
E-mail: ACSGuayaquil@state.gov
Dialing instructions within Ecuador:
- Within the same city and from a land line use the last seven digits.
- For calls from a mobile phone and for intercity telephone calls add the city code preceded by a 0.
Dialing instructions from the United States:
- Add the 011 prefix for an international long distance line.
For after-hours emergencies, call the phone numbers listed above for assistance
