"Our first priority is to save lives," stated Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa on February 20th, when he ordered national troops to help thousands of evacuees after torrential rains flooded hundreds of plantations and triggered mudslides in the western part of the country. The flooding exacerbates already devastating conditions in Ecuador due to the eruption of the Tungurahua volcano on February 6th.  As of last week, the government declared a national emergency and called for international aid, as the situation worsens.

Since December, Ecuador has endured its heaviest rains in 25 years, leading to swelling rivers and devastating floods. Disasters related to "La Niña" have affected 3.5 million people throughout eight of the country's provinces—that's 33 percent of the entire national territory—with highest damages to the coastal areas, especially in provinces such as Los Rios. The government confirms that more than $161 million of banana, rice, and cocoa crops have been lost through hundreds of destroyed plantations; and more than 252,000 acres of land have been damaged. On February 28th, the country’s oil pipelines were damaged by landslides caused by the heavy rains.

The flooding exacerbates already serious conditions due to the volcanic eruption, after which civil defense confirmed that up to 3,000 people were evacuated from the areas surrounding Tungurahua, and the president declared a 60-day State of Emergency. Ash covered thousands of acres of farmland, destroying property, crops and livestock. The harsh weather has caused tens of millions of dollars in losses for the world's top banana exporter over the past decade; and economic losses and food shortages from both disasters will be devastating.

In response to the State of Emergency and the president's concern for saving lives, the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) is prepared to help. As the oldest nonprofit affiliated with the Organization of American States, PADF has more than 45 years of disaster management and relief experience throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Donations are tax-deductible in the United States, routed directly to those affected, and managed transparently and efficiently with local partners.

In-kind, corporate, and individual donations are urgently needed for non-perishable food and beverages; first aid kits, medicine, medical equipment; communication equipment (GPS, radios, megaphones); water and sanitation supplies (drinking water, water bottles, water purification kits, bathing and hygiene kits); shelter supplies (mattresses/mats, blankets, sleeping bags, mosquito nets, tarps, portable lamps, heaters, generators, cooking equipment); and rescue equipment (boats, motors).

To leverage supplies donations, financial contributions can be made to PADF's Disaster Relief Fund. All donors are acknowledged on PADF's website.

To make corporate or in-kind donations, please contact Paul Fisher or Pilar Heraud by emailing pfisher@padf.org or pheraud@padf.org, or by contacting them at the address or number below.