: Earthquake 16 April, 2017 Flash Update: earthquake Esmeraldas province (20 December 2016)

On 19 December, at 2:11 a.m. a 5.7 magnitude earthquake shook Atacames canton in Esmeraldas province, at 5.2KM of depth (Instituto Geofísico del Ecuador, IGEPN). More than 20 aftershocks have been registered since, from which the one of greatest magnitude has been of 5.1.

According to the authorities of the Geophysics Institute of Ecuador, the earthquakes in this zone are probably due to “a fault in the continental plate, that became activated as a result” of 16 April earthquake. The National Oceanographic Institute of the Army (INOCAR) informed that no alert for a tsunami in the Ecuadorean coasts has been activated.

The northern zone of the Esmeraldas province was initially left without power, the service has been reestablished. School was suspended until January third 2017. The earthquake produced fear in the population and many spent the night outside their homes. Three persons lost their lives and 47 were hurt.

The Esmeraldas province Emergency Operations Committee (COE) was immediately activated and was presided by the President of Ecuador. The cantonal COEs in Muisne, Quinindé and Atacames were activated as well Photo: Pérez- El Telégrafo (Risk Management Secretariat, 19 December).

The State and its healthcare teams continue to assess the situation. Staff from the Risk Management Secretariat, Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion and others have been mobilized to deliver aid for the affected population. A government- run camp has been established sheltering 523 affected persons in Tonsupa parish, Atacames canton. CCCM, WASH and Protection Sectors have delivered tarpaulins and other NFIs for the affected population in coordination with local authorities. Moreover, these Sectors are assessing needs in the affected communities.

3 persons died 700 523 persons in the new persons hurt buildings damaged 1,786 47 camp in Tonsupa and have accessed and collapsed affected persons 146 parish healthcare Source: Secretariat of Risk Management Report No. 06, 20 December