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Press Releases & Updates

24 APR 2016

Oxfam to provide safe water to 10,000 people in Ecuador

Oxfam staff in Ecuador are working with the government to establish the effective distribution system of safe water in Portoviejo and Pedernales - two of the communities worst hit by the 7.8 earthquake that struck the northern coast of the country on 16 April.

Two tonnes of water pipes and tanks arrived in Quito on 21 April by plane with the support of the Spanish Cooperation Agency AECID. The aid will provide safe water for 10,000 people in the worst conditions, those whose homes have been completely destroyed or in areas where public water systems have been severely damaged.

'Government officials have identified communities where the most vulnerable people are, and where Oxfam's expertise in water and sanitation provides added value,' said Enrique Garcia, Oxfam's Humanitarian Coordinator for Latin America.

The main issues people face now in Pedernales and other places hit hardest by the earthquake are accessing clean water in large enough quantities, and also sanitation measures to prevent water-borne diseases, especially among children and the elderly.

Oxfam plans to maintain its humanitarian assistance in Ecuador for at least the next three months. 'In addition to the loss of life, injuries suffered and homes destroyed – which are all terrible in themselves – people’s livelihoods have also been severely affected. Many don’t have jobs or have been left without tools to work with. They need help to recover from this shock,' said Garcia.

Aftershocks continue to hit Ecuador’s northern coast. On Friday morning another tremor registering 6 on the Richter scale was felt, prolonging people’s fears and anxiety. Aftershocks are likely for at least another week.

Up until now, the Ecuadorian government has reported at least 600 people dead and more than 12,000 injured.

Donation methods for Oxfam’s Ecuador Earthquake Emergency Response are as follows:

Donations can be transferred to any of Oxfam Hong Kong's bank accounts:

Hong Kong
Hang Seng Bank: 284-401080-006
Bank of China: 012-874-0-013040-1
Bank of East Asia: 015-133-25-01288-3

(Please send us this form with the original bank receipt)

Macau (MOP)
Bank of China Macau: 01-01-20-840951 (MOP)
Banco OCBC Weng Hang Bank: 743342-001 (MOP)
Tai Fung Bank: 201-1-10056-9 (MOP)
ICBC Macau: 0119100200005410616 (MOP)
BNU Macau: 9012625045 (MOP)

(Please send us this form with the original bank receipt or online payment acknowledgement slip and write 'Ecuador' on the back)

Bank of China Macau cardholders can make donations via BOC Express or BOCNET

(Please choose Special Program: 'Ecuador'.)

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About Oxfam
Oxfam is a worldwide development organisation that mobilises the power of people against poverty.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Maggie Chum (Communications Officer)
Telephone: + 852 3120 5222 / + 852 6010 9961
Email: maggie.chum@oxfam.org.hk

Sarah Chu (Senior Communications Officer)
Telephone: +852 3120 5280 / +852 9276 0064
Email: sarah.chu@oxfam.org.hk