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Children's agency appeals for $1 million for its emergency response

UNICEF yesterday delivered 20,000 water purification tablets to Pedernales, the area worst affected by the earthquake that hit Ecuador last night. A UNICEF team is on the ground assessing the impact of the quake on children. 

At least 246 people have died so far and more than 2,500 people have been injured. The damage is heaviest in Pedernales, Chone, Muisne, Bahía de Caráquez, Manta, Portoviejo, Esmeraldas and Guayaquil, spurring the Government to declare a state of emergency.

UNICEF will continue to work with humanitarian partners to provide education, protection and water and sanitation supplies, including school kits and tents. Urgent priorities include preventing the spread of diseases, protecting children who may get separated from their families, providing affected children with psychosocial support and offering them temporary learning opportunities. UNICEF will need $1 million (£704,000) to meet the immediate needs of the quake-affected children. 

For further information, please contact:

Greg Jones, UNICEF UK, gregj@unicef.org.uk 0207 375 6067

Press Line, UNICEF UK, 0207 375 6030 

About Unicef

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. 

Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk