Ecuador Relief Update

In April 2016, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador, resulting in countless injuries and destroyed homes. Because of your generosity, 530 families received food and supplies to help them begin to rebuild after this tragedy.

Thank you for choosing to help those affected by Ecuador’s worst natural disaster in over 65 years.

Each family who benefitted from your support received packages of food and other essential items such as mattresses, blankets, shoes, personal hygiene kits, and life-saving medicine. With these immediate needs met, they are now able to focus on long-term recovery as they work to restore their communities.

Two families whose water sources were destroyed even received new water tanks so they would have a quality, sustainable source of clean drinking water. Peter is the father of one family that received this special gift.

Peter was injured at work and confined to a wheelchair shortly before the earthquake struck, so when his house was severely damaged, he had no idea how he would be able to repair it and take care of his family. Because of you, Peter’s family now has food to eat, new mattresses to sleep on, and clean water to drink. You even provided diapers and other supplies for his little boy.

In addition to providing critical aid, you allowed our partners to share the love of Jesus with Peter and others like him. In this area where hope was quickly becoming scarce, the message that God cares for them and has a perfect plan for their lives was welcome news. These words of encouragement, in addition to your generosity and kindness, served as a powerful witness to individuals like 16-year-old Kerobe Melo.

Kerobe earns a living by running a nail salon out of her home in Ecuador. The day of the earthquake, half of her house collapsed, crushing her and an elderly customer beneath the debris. The two women were trapped and unable to move for 40 minutes while waiting for a rescue team to arrive. After finally emerging from the rubble, Kerobe was greeted by the devastating sight of her destroyed home and business.

“I lost everything I had,” she said. “After a few days came help . . . they provided medical care, food, clothing, and blessed me with a new kit of tools for painting nails.” Kerobe now has the means to continue her business and pay for construction costs and other necessary expenses.

Your investment is making a difference in the lives of so many men, women, and children. Thank you for your commitment to spread help and hope around the globe.