HOME >> METRO SHANGHAI
Consul General of Ecuador in Shanghai shares recent developments after earthquake
By Yang Lan Source:Global Times Published: 2016-5-2 18:08:01
An earthquake of 7.8 magnitude struck Ecuador on April 16, leaving 659 people dead and thousands injured. The areas receiving the most structural damage were in the provinces of Manabí and Esmeraldas, located on the northern coast of Ecuador. Karina Morales Herrera, Consul General of Ecuador in Shanghai, shared recent developments with the Global Times and encouraged Chinese people to visit Ecuador, as she feels that the best way for China to help Ecuador is by continuing to visit the country.
Data from the Consulate General of Ecuador in Shanghai shows that 659 people were killed in the earthquake, primarily from small villages along the northern coast, while 42 are still missing. A total of 113 people were rescued. There were 23 foreigners who died in the earthquake, but none were Chinese.
Moreover, 30,073 injured local residents received assistance, with 29,067 people currently receiving public shelter. "We have finished the first stage, which is search and rescue. Now we are entering the second stage, which is reconstruction. It is a hard process that will last about three years," Herrera told the Global Times.
A total of 560 schools were also affected by the earthquake. The new academic year was just about to begin, but now these schools cannot operate. The Ecuador government is looking for alternative venues for children to attend classes.
Construction in the northern coast of Ecuador is, unfortunately, not as professional as in Quito or other big cities. Many buildings were built without proper designs, one of the factors that caused a great number of deaths during the quake.
However, the consul general believes that Chinese contractors have done a great job in their projects in Ecuador. "A good thing is that many projects constructed collaborating with Chinese contractors in the past years were well done. It is very important, for example, that bridges have springs so that there is space for movement. It is also important that plates have plasticity," Herrera said.
"We did not have any problems with Chinese constructions during the earthquake. We also had a full review of power plants constructed by Chinese companies, and there were no major damages."
Receiving support
Thus far at least 28 countries have sent humanitarian aid to Ecuador, including China, Japan and the United States. International organizations such as the United Nations and the European Commission's European Civil Protection have also sent funds and materials to the country.
After the earthquake, China sent five planes with 5,400 tents to Ecuador. It has also donated $2 million to Ecuador.
Embassies and consulates of Ecuador around the world are collecting monetary donations from their respective countries, which they deposit into an official account designated by the government.
As of April 25, the Consulate General of Ecuador in Shanghai has received 137,605 yuan ($21,438) in donations through a designated WeChat account, and 654,685 yuan through an official ICBC bank account. It will continue to seek and collect donations throughout the following four months for the reconstruction efforts.
Consul General Herrera emphasized that the touristic infrastructure, services and attractions in Ecuador remain intact and fully operational. The Amazon, the Andes and the Galapagos are all reported to be in good condition and their respective local airports and touristic facilities are functioning as usual.
"These places are totally safe. Quito, the capital of the country, and the Amazon region are places that Chinese people like to visit. The best way for people to support Ecuador after our earthquake is to continue traveling to our country," Herrera said.
In 2015, 15,000 Chinese tourists visited Ecuador. "We hope to continue with the same trend of growth this year," Herrera said.
Newspaper headline: Reconstruction of dreams
Data from the Consulate General of Ecuador in Shanghai shows that 659 people were killed in the earthquake, primarily from small villages along the northern coast, while 42 are still missing. A total of 113 people were rescued. There were 23 foreigners who died in the earthquake, but none were Chinese.
Moreover, 30,073 injured local residents received assistance, with 29,067 people currently receiving public shelter. "We have finished the first stage, which is search and rescue. Now we are entering the second stage, which is reconstruction. It is a hard process that will last about three years," Herrera told the Global Times.
A total of 560 schools were also affected by the earthquake. The new academic year was just about to begin, but now these schools cannot operate. The Ecuador government is looking for alternative venues for children to attend classes.
Construction in the northern coast of Ecuador is, unfortunately, not as professional as in Quito or other big cities. Many buildings were built without proper designs, one of the factors that caused a great number of deaths during the quake.
However, the consul general believes that Chinese contractors have done a great job in their projects in Ecuador. "A good thing is that many projects constructed collaborating with Chinese contractors in the past years were well done. It is very important, for example, that bridges have springs so that there is space for movement. It is also important that plates have plasticity," Herrera said.
"We did not have any problems with Chinese constructions during the earthquake. We also had a full review of power plants constructed by Chinese companies, and there were no major damages."
Receiving support
Thus far at least 28 countries have sent humanitarian aid to Ecuador, including China, Japan and the United States. International organizations such as the United Nations and the European Commission's European Civil Protection have also sent funds and materials to the country.
After the earthquake, China sent five planes with 5,400 tents to Ecuador. It has also donated $2 million to Ecuador.
Embassies and consulates of Ecuador around the world are collecting monetary donations from their respective countries, which they deposit into an official account designated by the government.
As of April 25, the Consulate General of Ecuador in Shanghai has received 137,605 yuan ($21,438) in donations through a designated WeChat account, and 654,685 yuan through an official ICBC bank account. It will continue to seek and collect donations throughout the following four months for the reconstruction efforts.
Consul General Herrera emphasized that the touristic infrastructure, services and attractions in Ecuador remain intact and fully operational. The Amazon, the Andes and the Galapagos are all reported to be in good condition and their respective local airports and touristic facilities are functioning as usual.
"These places are totally safe. Quito, the capital of the country, and the Amazon region are places that Chinese people like to visit. The best way for people to support Ecuador after our earthquake is to continue traveling to our country," Herrera said.
In 2015, 15,000 Chinese tourists visited Ecuador. "We hope to continue with the same trend of growth this year," Herrera said.
Karina Morales Herrera, Consul General of Ecuador in Shanghai
Humanitarian aid is being unloaded in Manta, Ecuador.
A worker removes debris at a collapsed hotel in Pedernales after the earthquake.
Photos: CFP and courtesy of the consulate
Newspaper headline: Reconstruction of dreams
Posted in: Metro Shanghai