PRIORITY. Delivery of aid reaches the inhabitants of the affected areas. Photo: API
The National COE declared itself in permanent session to give an immediate response to the effects of the rains and in anticipation of the arrival of “El Niño”
The Government structure remains active to provide care to the population affected by the rains and floods in the province of Esmeraldas. The National Government, through the Emergency Operations Committee (COE) resolved to declare itself in permanent session to respond quickly.
According to the latest report from the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion (MIES) so far some 700 people (boys, girls, people with disabilities and the elderly) are cared for in the shelters set up due to the floods registered on June 4, 2023 in the province of Esmeraldas.
Until this June 6, Mies has activated 300 technicians to care for those affected. It has also arranged for the delivery of 500 food kits and some 3,000 clothing kits, that contain 15 pieces between t-shirts, footwear and men’s, women’s or children’s clothing.
Additionally, it was learned that with the support of the Risk Management Secretariat (SGR) 12.5 tons of assistance have been transferred between food, personal hygiene material, beds, awnings, mattresses and other items.
permanent session
The National COE met from the Carondelet Palace, after an extensive balance on the situation in Esmeraldas and the rains that affect other areas of the country. The agency declared itself in permanent session to deal with incidents during the rainy season and in preparation to receive the El Niño phenomenon.
The director of the National COE, Juan Zapata, reported that the measure was taken unanimously. Which It extends to the technical tables and working groups to achieve coordination and articulation of actions «for the prevention and response to the rainy season and preparation for the occurrence of the El Niño phenomenon».
He indicated that although these are risks that must be addressed by the cantonal and provincial COEs, “We are going to articulate to continue with prevention and response effects”.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Secretariat of Risk Management, the Ministry of Water and Environment, as well as the Public Water Company must present a schedule for the execution of the resources to be assigned.
The SGR must work to coordinate prevention actions with the Armed Forces, the National Police, the Fire Brigade and the Red Cross in each of the territories.
numbers on the rise
The last report of the SGR He pointed out that there are 14,870 people affected by the floods, that is, around 3,636 families.
Although the floods affected some 3,066 homes, so far there have been no records of houses destroyed by the action of the water.
Refering to educational infrastructure, 27 centers have been impacted, 21 with functional affectation and 6 in their structure.
Only eight health centers were affected.
For him At the moment, 17 bodies of water are still affected, although they show a tendency to decrease the level of their flow. Six of them are in the Muisne Canton and three in Atacames.
Basic services
The SGR highlighted that they continue to work together with the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works to achieve the opening of state highways, as well as care in the parish of Cabo de San Francisco and Galera in the Muisne canton with the support of the Prefecture of Esmeraldas.
For his part, CNEL cut off the electricity supply in the city of Esmeraldas, to prevent damage to homes. Additionally, it works on the activation of electrical energy for the San Rafael sports complex and in this way to be able to enable it as a temporary accommodation site. (ILS)
MTOP serves the roads
The Ministry of Transport and Public Works indicated that the roads most affected are the E-15 highway of Esmeraldas – Muisne, where several landslides occurred from km 215 to km 222, sector ‘El Avocado’. Currently, work is being done in coordination with the GAD of Atacames and the Road Maintenance Associations in the execution of cleaning works.
While at km 223, the ‘El Aguacate’ sector, the culvert collapsed on the road, completely disabling the step. Negotiations are being made for the transfer of a Bailey bridge from the district address of Chimborazo of the MTOP.
At km 230, 236 and 253, the road is disabled and cannot be serviced because the sites cannot be accessed due to flooding.
The Y del Salto – Muisne, the Esmeraldas- Quinindé and the Lita- San Lorenzo highways are also affected. and the MTOP teams work for its reopening.