On April 16, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastated Ecuador, with an epicenter in the coastal town of Esmeraldas. Since the initial impact, Ecuador’s earthquake victims have experienced 23 small aftershocks, including a 6.1 level quake the following Thursday, April 21.

According to CNN, the fatality count, as of April 23 had reached 654, though the number continues to climb as rubble is removed and missing bodies are found. In addition, Ecuador’s Risk Management Office reported that 56 people remain missing, close to 12,500 have been injured and 26,100 people are currently housed in shelters.

In response, dozens of aid teams—including the USAID, UNICEF, UNHCR and other international relief organizations—are providing assistance to the afflicted regions.

This kind of on-the-ground work is not only praised but necessary. However, how can individuals globally contribute to helping Ecuador’s earthquake victims?

Hundreds of philanthropists, confined to home countries and time restrictions, have created grassroots pages, including Gofundme and Kickstarter campaigns for the cause.

Below are several organizations to research and support, whether it be monetarily or through advocacy. They supply healthcare, food, water and protection for Ecuador’s earthquake victims.

UNICEF Ecuador Earthquake Relief Fund – With a focus on the safety and well-being of children, UNICEF’s relief fund allocates money towards necessity improvements—food, shelter, clean water—in conjunction with its mission toward the safety and well-being of affected youth.

UNHR Ecuador Emergency Fund – The response team details how specific monetary donations can benefit those in need:

• $200 can provide sleeping mats to 100 people.
• $600 can provide tarps to help shelter 40 families.
• $1,000 can provide 33 emergency rescue kits

The Catholic Relief Services Fund – In coordination with other humanitarian organizations, the Catholic Relief Services is raising money for emergency resources and efforts to improved communication.

The American Red Cross and Apple Partnership Fund – In a partnership between Apple and the American Red Cross, the former has created a donations page via iTunes to support relief efforts in Ecuador and Japan. The company specifies that donations are accepted via iTunes and the App Store on both iOS devices and computers. Apple announced that 100 percent of donations goes to the American Red Cross.

Global Giving Ecuador Relief Fund – In tandem with local organizations, Global Giving pledges to aid emergency response teams and survivor aftermath relief, in addition to funding longer-term, reconstructive projects. Their mission is as follows, “By funding the relief efforts of local organizations, donations to this fund have the potential to build stronger disaster-response capacity so that these organizations are better equipped to face future disasters. GlobalGiving will post reports about how funds have been used and will email these reports to donors and subscribers.”

These are a few ways in which individuals can assist Ecuador’s earthquake victims as the country focuses on rebuilding and restoration efforts.

— Nora Harless

Photo: Flickr