Church responds to Equador quake

Immediately after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked the coastal province of Esmeraldas, Ecuador, more than 500 people arrived at the Cristo Rey (Christ the King) Catholic Cathedral seeking safety.

Fear of a tsunami had people terrified. The courtyard was teeming with families, the elderly, and young children, some half-dressed as they were bathing or preparing for bed when the earthquake struck at 6:58 p.m. last Saturday evening.

The express request of the two Bishops most affected jurisdictions has been that the work of the Church is strengthened when other contributions begin to decline, and that quota is what is also preparing. This morning in communication with the parish priests in the territory, we have said that the Church hostel enabled about 600 people attending in Portoviejo, where infrastructure still allows. Many of the buildings of the Church have been lost so that aid is being done on the streets. Requested tents and mattresses resistant to rain, covered in plastic, to be useful indeed.

Many of Church buildings have been lost so that aid is being delivered on the streets. Credit: Caritas Ecuador

Bishop Eugenio Arellano arrived soon after. “He was in his car when the earthquake hit and thought he’d punctured a tire,” said Segundo Zambrano, a journalist with the local Catholic Radio Station Antena Libre.

The earthquake had severed all telecommunications; phone calls weren’t coming in or out. The power was out and the children, in particular were very thirsty and in need of water.

“The bishop was very worried because there was no help in sight,” said Zambrano. “He went out in the middle of the street and with a flashlight in hand waved down a patrol man to come and assist the people at Cristo Rey.”

Widespread damage has left people shaken. The current death toll stands at just over 400 and is expected to keep climbing. More than 2,000 are injured and countless have lost their homes or afraid to sleep indoors. The bishop remained with his parishioners handing out water until the tsunami warning was called off and people began returning to their homes.

Caritas Ecuador and the Church immediately saw a surge in donations and served as a drop-off point for in-kind goods. Specialty items such as medicines are being channeled through the government, while fifteen fully loaded trucks have been sent out by the Church in Esmeraldas to provide immediate relief items to families.

Such donations have been a lifeline. Esmeraldas was initially difficult to reach because roadways were blocked with damage and debris. Alternative routes have been established helping to bring in much needed relief informs Zambrano.

Quake damage

The items most in demand are reusable kitchen items for people to prepare meals. Mothers of infant children are also requesting baby diapers. Credit: Caritas Ecuador

According to Vicar General Fr. Silvino Mina, the items most in demand are reusable kitchen items for people to prepare meals. Mothers of infant children are also requesting baby diapers.

The day after the quake hit the Bishop toured disaster affected areas. He saw more than 330 homes destroyed and countless others that are cracked or missing roofs. Rebuilding and rehabilitating homes will be a top priority.

“We call on the solidarity of our brothers,” says Fr. Silvino. “The bishop has been working at getting some economic backing to source building materials. Many houses are in need of roofs.”

“The Church was immediately with our people,” says Fr. Silvino. We must carry a message of hope. We cannot lose hope and we must continue work for the people of Esmeraldas. We must have faith that God will provide through the generous hands of people around the world. May God bless all of them.”

The provincial capital of Manabí, Portoviejo, was hit particularly hard. The Church has provided shelter for 600 people, but many Church buildings have been destroyed.

Fr. Richard Garcia, of San Juan parish, in Portoviejo said, “What we need most is drinking water, waterproof tents, covered mattresses, kitchens equipment and gas cylinders to cook for the community, and food.

“In my parish, we are distributing food to more than a hundred people, but in Benno, a neighboring parish, 400 people have received food. That’s why we need industrial stoves and gas cylinders.”

“I presided over a Mass yesterday to bury a couple who died, today I’ll  say another Mass for a women who died in the earthquake. It’s very sad, but at least their families have their bodies. There are people who are still searching the rubble for their loved ones.”

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