Ecuador

As you know, a major 7.8 earthquake struck Ecuador two days ago, the strongest in Ecuador since 1979. Several hundreds have died and thousands are homeless. We have been posting information on our Facebook page for those wanting to get regular news and where to donate.

Many friends in Sierra have reported they are safe by checking online through Facebook. All Peace Corps volunteers have reported that they are safe.

All Peace Corps Ecuador Volunteers are safe & accounted for. Staff in Ecuador are in close contact w/ Volunteers regarding safety & security

— Peace Corps (@PeaceCorps) April 17, 2016

Epicenter was on the coast with major damage in cities like Pedernales, Porto Viejo, Muisne where there has long been a history of volunteers. Several hundred people have died, including friends of RPCVs and volunteers. Volunteers are mobilizing to get resources to the coast for rescue and relief operations, though it sounds like some areas are dicey in terms of security, as there is some desperation in towns for re-supply.

Here are photos of the damage, with people sleeping outside for fear of aftershocks. This photoset from Manabi is heartbreaking and includes aerial photos of the damage.

How You Can Help

Current Peace Corps volunteers have expressed an interest in helping and many of them who live along the coast are mobilizing funds to try to help. In general, it’s hard since unless you are trained in disaster response, it’s difficult to be useful, especially since outsiders converging on an area may themselves need food, water and shelter that are in short supply. It sounds like some coastal based volunteers, current and former, are working with local foundations and law enforcement to try to provide assistance. Others are channeling money to them. Money is probably better than donated goods.

Here are three sources that came up that are known to us personally or through the Peace Corps network. At bottom, we provide links to more well-known charitable organizations. We’ll try to update as we have more information.

Ouida Chichester who has worked with Friends of Ecuador in the past in Pedernales with a foundation for people with disabilities has a donation site and is working to mobilize funding.  …

Ecuador Earthquake: How You Can HelpRead More »

The pope spoke to a million in Ecuador earlier this summer.

QUITO, Ecuador— Pope Francis praised the family as society’s primary haven of virtue but said its joys still elude many, and he voiced hope that a meeting of bishops at the Vatican this fall will help those who feel left out of family life.

The pope’s schedule for the week features a number of events reflecting his concern for social and economic justice. Arriving in Ecuador on Sunday, he called for sharing the benefits of development with the “most fragile of our brothers and sisters and the most vulnerable minorities.”

The pope had traveled to steamy Guayaquil, on the Pacific coast, from the Andean city of Quito, Ecuador’s capital, where he was scheduled to remain until departing for Bolivia on Wednesday.

He also made environmental protection a major theme:

Pope Francis on Tuesday called for increased protection of the Amazon rain forest and the indigenous people who live there, declaring that Ecuador must resist exploiting natural riches for “short-term benefits,” an implicit rebuke of the policies of President Rafael Correa.

In his final stops of a busy day, Francis made environmental protection a central theme, invoking the biblical tenet for humans to be guardians of creation, while praising the way of life of indigenous peoples living in the rain forests. Several indigenous leaders attending Francis’ final event of the day have been fighting the policies of Mr. Correa to expand oil exploration in the Ecuadorean Amazon.

In May, the Wolf volcano in the Galapagos Islands has erupted for the first time in 33 years. It’s not a populated island (by humans). It’s located on Isabela island, the largest in the archipelago. It does however pose a threat to pink iguanas.

Más fotos de erupción de volcán #Wolf en #Galápagos gracias al guía Diego Paredes pic.twitter.com/UmyDOFanje

— Parq. Nac. Galápagos (@parquegalapagos) May 25, 2015

This is an incredible documentary capturing a dying craft, an ice merchant who harvests ice from Mount Chimborazo.

Some great photos of Cotopaxi and other mountains in the Washington Post. Did any of you climb it during your time there? I did with my good friend Mark Thurber and RPCV Edward Marshall. We camped on the glacier, set out for the summit in the middle of the night, crossed crevasses that were straddled by ladders. I was ill-equipped for the summit with a mag-lite taped to my hat, but we made it. I’ll scan some photos for our next newsletter. In the meantime, enjoy some of these.

 

Here is link to an article on where to find organic produce and health food in Ecuador.

The author writes: …

For those considering retiring in Ecuador…Read More »