The Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God has a community of Brothers in Quito that manages two centers: the San Juan de Dios Rest Center in Quito, dedicated to mental health, and the San Juan de Dios Shelter for homeless people and those at risk of social exclusion.
According to the Brothers' reports from there, the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which struck off the coast of Ecuador last Saturday night, the 16th, was felt in Quito (180 kilometers from the coast) but caused no personal or material damage.
According to the latest official data, the earthquake has now left more than 270 dead and 2,000 injured in Ecuador, which is under a state of emergency.
At Juan Ciudad NGO, we are in communication with the Quito centers, waiting to determine the most appropriate way to help effectively, based on the needs they communicate to us. We will continue to provide updates on the situation and the actions that will be taken to assist those affected.
For more information on the actions Ecuador is taking, please visit the website of its Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion:
http://www.inclusion.gob.ec/campana-solidaria-de-recoleccion/
