WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) airlifted more than 80 tons of emergency relief items to Quito, Ecuador over the weekend to help people affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the country on April 16. The cargo included 20,400 water containers, 3,500 kitchen sets, five large water storage and distribution units, and 1,000 rolls of heavy duty plastic to provide emergency shelter needs. USAID is working with the Government of Ecuador and local non-governmental organizations to ensure that the commodities-which are expected to benefit up to 50,000 people-are distributed to the areas of greatest need.

USAID airlifts relief supplies to help survivors of Ecuador earthquake

USAID/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance

To date, USAID has provided more than $1.3 million in humanitarian assistance to help the people of Ecuador. This includes expenditures for the recent airlift and cargo, as well as support for safe drinking water, improved sanitation, hygiene kits, and other supplies in communities affected by the earthquake. USAID also contributed to the UN World Food Program's (WFP) emergency operation to provide locally procured in-kind food assistance to families in hard-hit Pedernales, Manta, and Esmeraldas.

Shortly after the earthquake hit, USAID deployed an 11-person earthquake response team and activated 14 local consultants to assess damage and identify priority humanitarian needs in the worst-affected areas where U.S. assistance would prove most useful.

Additional U.S. government assistance may be forthcoming based on disaster assessments.