The massive, 7.8 earthquake on April 16, 2016, literally destroyed dozens of Ecuadorian coastal villages, flattening homes and causing massive loss of life. Continued aftershocks hamper rescue and debris removal efforts.  Local and International aid has poured in; volunteers from all over the world have joined the rescue efforts. 

Airports in Quito, Guayaquil and Baltra continue to operate normally and our friends and colleagues in Guayaquil and Quito remain safe and sound.  The Galapagos Islands, located 600 miles to the west, are unaffected.  

The INCA team continues to monitor the situation and has responded with an initial donation of blankets and cash to the rescue and relief efforts underway. Our colleagues in the Galapagos, as well as those around the unaffected regions of the country, are organizing local efforts to help their fellow countrymen hardest hit in Manabí province.

Grass Roots Relief

In addition to the relief efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Unicef, a local relief and recovery effort has been set up specifically to to reach smaller villages, provide food, medicine and water, and to assist in the monumental task of rebuilding. 

The Ecuador Earthquake Recovery Fund (ERF) is a grassroots effort organized by Jan Niedrau, General Manager of Quito's Zazu Restaurant, with the support of Michael and Stephanie at Galapagos Safari Camp. Over the years Zazu has built strong bonds with artisanal coastal fishermen who supply the fresh fish to their restaurants. Their villages have been flattened. Many have lost their homes; some have lost family members. As current relief efforts are pouring massive aid in to the urban centers, the ERF will focus on providing funds to these villages primarily as a second stage of assistance rather than the immediate relief efforts. At the moment help is pouring in from many local sources, however once the area is clear of rubble there will be disease, trauma, no jobs and little hope. The Recovery Fund will help these villagers get back on their feet and working again.  

Urgent Appeal

We at INCA are contributing this effort and encourage donations to the following.   

Donate to The Ecuador Earthquake Recovery Fund »

Donate to The International Committee of the Red Cross »

Donate to UNICEF's Ecuador Earthquake Relief efforts » 

Update: 25Apr 2016

We just received the following update from our friends Stephanie Bonham-Carter and Michael Mesdag, founders of Galapagos Safari Camp who are actively involved in the Ecuador Earthquake Recovery Fund.

Since our correspondence yesterday, our group has made enormous progress.  We have a website up and running for more information on what we do and who is behind it.  We shall keep updating it as we go along.  We have Bo Derek’s support which we shall announce soon.  We sent a truck with basic goods last night to the coast. Most importantly, one of the group members donated helicopter time this weekend to distribute basic goods and to identify the specific village where we shall focus our help.  Michael is flying with him personally and we are getting first hand information and footage. All this we have funded ourselves.

Here is the website:  http://www.ecuadorrecovery.com

At present our fund raising is modest but we are ambitious.  We are trying to join forces with other groups...We are frantically trying to get information on housing that can be practical and can be built efficiently as well as water systems to support the village (ideally villages!) within our financial reach.

What I am trying to say is that we need more support...Hope this information helps and might inspire.