Expat Exchange Check-In and Help Needed Thread

Ecuador Check-in and Help Needed Thread

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Ecuador. Please use our Ecuador Check-In and Help Needed thread to post a note letting everyone know that you are okay. Also, please report on any local conditions that would impact others: road closures, airport closures/re-openings, emergency services, shelters, etc.. Additionally, Expat Exchange started as a support community for expats - a place where expats could support one another. If you are in need of help, PLEASE post a message asking for the help of other forum members in Ecuador. Thank you, in advance, for helping and supporting one another.

Updates on Local Conditions

"According to the Alcalde (Mayor) of Salinas all is well there and I have reason to believe the same of La Libertad. There has been serious damage in Puerto Viejo and in Esmeraldas and also in Guayaquil where an elevated road collapsed. At this time the fatality count in Ecuador up to 77 and over 570 injured regrettably the dawn will no doubt reveal more. This was a big one 7.8 on the richter scale ... Here in Montanita we had a good shaking and many folks left to head back home to the city and check on things. We were without light for about 15 minutes maybe 30. Hola Ola where I tend to chill was on generator during that time. Twitter by the way is the very best thing to follow for situations of this sort. You will be able to follow everything and link one to the next," reported member OceanHideaway in Anconcito, Ecuador immediately following the earthquake. She later posted, "Just back from a long day... all well on the southern and northern ends of Santa Elena."

One woman asked, "My daughter and her community service group of high school students are near Cuenca and will be needing to go back to Guayaquil. Does anyone know if the roads are effected? I know the roads are rough on a good day. Thank you." An expat replied, "One of the bridges in Guayaquil collapsed and is closed. This is on the way to the airport, so tell your daughter and her friends to expect traffic delays getting to the airport and to plan for the extra time it might take. As for the road from Cuenca to Guayaquil, to the best of my knowledge - even with the recent heavy rains from el nino - there shouldn't be any major delays or problems. Buenos suerte."

Best Ways to Help

"Now 350 known dead. Here are organizations accepting donations. Do not attempt to physically go to offer help unless you are part of a group," advised one expat in Ecuador. He went on to offer a list of organizations accepting donations:

• Azuay Food Bank (located next to Iglesia Turi)
• Catholic Relief Services
• Cruz Roja Ecuatoriano (Ecuador Red Cross)
• World Vision Ecuador Earthquake Relief Fund
• Hearts of Gold Earthquake Relief Fund
• Azuay Province Prefectura: Accepting rice, canned food, bottled water, and clothing in good condition, at La Casa de la Provincia, corner Simon Bolivar and Tomas Ordonez, west side of Parque San Blas.
• Ecuador Finance Ministry: National and International donations deposited in the ministry's bank account.
• Supermaxi: There are donation areas at all of Cuenca's Supermaxi grocery stores.

U.S. Embassy in Quito's Alert

The U.S. Embassy in Quito would like to inform U.S. citizens throughout Ecuador that a 7.8 magnitude earthquake occurred at 1858 in northern Ecuador. Some local damage to buildings and possibly to bridges and roadways has been reported in Quito and Guayaquil. Cell phone and land line telephones are working intermittently. A tsunami warning has been issued for coastal areas of Ecuador with potential waves of less than one meter. Please stay tuned to local news sources for up-to-date information. Notice: If you are trying to reach individuals in Ecuador, please note many communication systems including phone and internet service are down. We suggest using text, social media including via safety notifications, and phone applications as alternate means if calls are not going through.

State of Emergency Declared

According to NBC News, "States of emergency were declared for the provinces of Esmeraldas, Los Rios, Manabi, Santa Elena, Guayas and Santo Domingo."