Community members and organizations gathered for a meeting at the Consulate of Ecuador in New Haven on Monday night to discuss relief efforts following the country's 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
Meriden resident Priscilla Esposito came to the meeting with her sister Gina Ruperti-Bucchieri, also of Meriden. They are looking for information about their cousins from the coastal town of Manta.
"How can we help them from here?" she said. "We can’t even get ahold of them. We don’t know if they’re alive. We don’t know if they’re dead. We don’t know if they’re hurt."
The hardest-hit area was the coastal Manabi Province, but damage is widespread throughout the country.
The consulate reported a red alert was issued in six provinces: Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo, Manabi, Guayas, Los Rios, and Santa Elena.
General Consul of Ecuador Raul Erazo thanked everyone for their support during a press conference and said their goal is to promote unity and solidarity.
"This is the time to unite our efforts to work with our brothers who have suffered this tragedy, and help rebuild our country," Erazo said.
Erazo said he expects medication, canned foods, and water to be among the items needed, but they’re waiting for a list of requirements from Ecuadorian officials.
Updated reports can be found at gestionderiesgos.gob.ec. There's also an account set up through Bank of America for donations.
The Foreign Ministry has activated emergency numbers for citizens residing in foreign countries: (844) 668-4543.
