Hoping they overcome the disaster, neighbors from the opposite side of the earth send encouragement
On April 16, 2016, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake stuck Ecuador in South America. Around 700 people were killed, and the number of injuries was succeeding. Thousands of houses were damaged, and there were more than 20,000 earthquake victims. Ecuadorian authorities announced it was the worst earthquake that happened in Latin America ever since the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Through the 17th New Life Walkathon held to support global neighbors and communities living in difficulties, the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation promised Ecuador the relief fund of 50,000 USD.
Esmeraldas Province, located in northern seashore, was close to the epicenter, so the damage was especially severe. The surrounding buildings were left bare with just the frames, and the big buildings’ debris spread all over the street. Many of the residents, who had completely lost their homes, could not go back to their homes for several months, living in makeshift tents. With the decrease in the concern and support of the media and international society, compared with the time right after the earthquake, the return to the original residence had been delayed.
The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation met the government officials of Ecuador and discussed over the local situations and the ways to help, and through in-site survey, the Foundation decided to support with kitchenware and daily necessities, hoping the victims to return to their daily lives as soon as possible. During the site survey to Esmeraldas, the Foundation happened to talk with Lidice Larrea, Minister of Economic and Social Inclusion, who visited there to attend the Cabinet Meeting that was held to establish countermeasures to the earthquake damages. Minister Lidice Larrea and Ecuadorian government officials welcomed the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation, and they were interested in the fact that the Foundation is a relief aid organization, based on South Korea.
On August 26, with around 50 participants from the Quito branch office of the Foundation and the government officials, the relief fund delivery ceremony was held at a local building of the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion. The Foundation supplied burners, gas cylinders, large kettles, pots, and cooking facilities and tools to nine temporarily tented villages in Chamanga, Muisne, Portete, and other regions in the Province of Esmeraldas. Also, daily necessities and mosquito nets for the prevention of malaria and dengue fever were donated to 644 households. “Sincere thanks to the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation for the humanitarian support materially and spiritually. Donated relief goods will be well delivered to the families of the earthquake sufferers,” said Miguel Alarcon, Regional Administer from the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion.
Public access was restricted in temporarily tented villages. Under the guidance of government officers, the Foundation members delivered the relief goods in hand to two temporarily tented villages of the most badly damaged region, Chamanga. Earthquake sufferers responded to the members with “WE LOVE YOU,” welcoming their encouraging supports. Watching the residents trying hard not to lose their hopes in life and the kids smiling in spite of difficulties, the members could see the encouragement messages from the fellows of the opposite side of the earth were well delivered.
On September 2, Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion in Ecuador thanked the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation for the support, and presented a plaque of appreciation.
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