AMERICA/ECUADOR - Earthquakes cause extreme difficulties for those affected by disability

Monday, 25 April 2016 natural catastrophe  

CBM Italia Onlus

Quito (Agenzia Fides) – The death toll of the earthquake that just over a week ago struck Ecuador rises: more than 710 people have died or are missing, including some 16,600 injured and some are still in serious condition. This was reported by the National Secretariat for Risk Management.
The Ecuadorian government declared a state of emergency in six provinces: Esmeraldas, Manabí, Santa Elena, Guayas, Santo Domingo and Los Ríos. The area of Pedernales (Manabí province) has been declared a disaster zone. Search and rescue efforts started immediately. There is no water, food and basic necessities. During emergencies the mortality rate of people with disabilities is twice compared to the general population. The reasons lie in the difficulty or impossibility of allowing them to move due to the increased difficulty of access to basic humanitarian aid. Among the initiatives in favor of the most vulnerable affected by this disaster, CBM Italy is giving its support in collaboration with its local partners. CBM operators are working to ensure that people with disabilities and their families, but also the elderly and other vulnerable groups, receive water, food, medicine and shelter". In particular in the province of Esmeraldas our partner OVCI Nostra Famiglia, which works closely with the Government, is responsible for producing and importing devices and mobility aids, such as wheelchairs and crutches. In these hours, the operators are working to distribute water, food and basic necessity kits", said the statement sent to Agenzia Fides by CBM. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 25/04/2016)


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