Ecuador sends 12 tons of humanitarian aid to Colombia for earthquake victims

Ecuador has dispatched 12 tons of humanitarian aid to Colombia to assist those affected by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck on August 10th. The aid package, comprising essential items such as personal hygiene products, mattresses, mosquito nets, blankets, and tents, aims to provide temporary shelter for affected families. The shipment was collected through donation drives in Quito and Guayaquil, then processed and classified before being transported to the border. Ecuador's Secretary of Risk Management, Carolina Lozano, personally oversaw the delivery at the Rumichaca International Bridge, the main border crossing between the two nations. Colombian authorities received the supplies, which are now en route to Buenaventura, one of the regions hardest hit by the earthquake. The journey to Buenaventura is expected to take approximately 18 hours. Gabriel Pérez of Colombia's National Unit for Risk and Disaster Management expressed gratitude for Ecuador's significant support, noting that the earthquake's impact had strained Colombia's response capabilities. He highlighted the solidarity between the two nations, emphasizing their shared culture and proximity. "This is the correct way we can coexist," Pérez remarked, referring to the mutual support between neighboring countries whose people share a common border. Discussions are also underway regarding potential binational drills, particularly concerning volcanic risks, given the extensive shared border susceptible to such emergencies. The earthquake has resulted in 314 fatalities, 262 disappearances, and 4,437 injuries in Colombia, with 364 people rescued. Ecuador also sent 31 rescue personnel and five structural assessment engineers.

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The earthquake surpassed Colombia's response capabilities, and today our Ecuadorian brothers are providing us with very important support.