March 14, 2008

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is providing emergency assistance to communities in Ecuador affected by severe flooding. Torrential rains have been pounding the country since the beginning of January, causing massive flooding and devastating mudslides. More than 3.5 million people have been impacted by the destruction.

A state of emergency that was initially declared in nine provinces was recently extended to cover the entire country. So far 23 people have died, 265,000 have been evacuated and 114,384 hectares of staple crops of banana, cocoa and rice have been destroyed. The damage is estimated to be upwards of $163 million dollars.

ERD is partnering with the Diocese of Ecuador-Litoral in Ecuador to provide emergency aid to 3,000 families, reaching a total of 15,000 people. With the support of ERD, the diocese is providing medicine, mosquito nets, rain gear and roofing material to repair churches and family homes.

"In Latin America, poor populations inhabit marginalized land, sometimes along inclined river banks. As a result, when floods occur, it is these people who are most affected but offered the least help," says Matthew St. John, ERD's program officer for Latin America and the Caribbean. "The rains are expected to last until April so help will be needed for a long time."

To help people affected by flooding in Ecuador, make a donation to ERD's "Emergency Relief Fund" online at http://www.er-d.org/, or by calling 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development "Emergency Relief Fund" P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.

Episcopal News Service