Pedernales Ecuador Earthquake Relief and Rebuilding Fund.
The Story
A powerful earthquake hit coastal Ecuador on April 16th. Pedernales, home to many dear friends and where I lived as a Peace Corps Volunteer, has been devastated by this catastrophe. I am raising funds to help with the relief work, and to help the town rebuild. The funds will be administered by the Fundacion Simon Palacios, a local organization I have worked with for many years.
Fundraiser Updates
Posted on April 25, 2016 by Ouida Chichester
I spoke with the coordinator for the Fundacion Simon Palacios Foundation this weekend and heard both good and bad news. The Foundation’s buildings are still standing (great news) and the community has really come together in solidarity to face this catastrophe. On the bad news side I learned that the shrimping infrastructure has been hit very hard – this will have longer-term negative impacts on the economic recovery of the town, as many in Pedernales are dependent on the shrimp industry for employment. Not only have people lost their homes, but their jobs in the shrimp industry are at risk as well.
Friends in Pedernales are reporting that donations are arriving, but request that we keep sending support, but gradually, so that the help is extended beyond the initial days of crisis, as this emergency and recovery is going to take a long time.