Panama awaits decision on humanitarian aid following Ecuador Earthquake

An earthquake in Ecuador has left 272 dead and 2500 other injured. Rescue crews searched desperately through rubble for survivors the magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck coastal Ecuador Saturday April 16.

As a member of the office of Cooperation for Humanitarian Affairs at the United Nations Panama awaits confirmation on offering the country aid. In the case that the offer for humanitarian aid was accepted a team of 25 rescue worker accompanied by a trained K9 team would be deployed in an effort to located people buried under the rubble.

Sinaproc has also be in contact with Ecuador to see what assistance it can offer.

In addition, the government has initiated an information hotline for Panamanians living in or visiting  Ecuador so they can check in with the embassy to let friends and relatives know they are all right.