Recovery for Communities and Victims of the Earthquake-affected Regions (RECOVER Ecuador)

The project aims to promote the recovery of earthquake-stricken populations in Jama Canton, Manabi province, Ecuador. The devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 16, 2016, claimed the lives of 673 people and injured over 27,732 others. The RECOVER Ecuador project focuses on providing safe and culturally appropriate transitional shelters to earthquake-affected households. The project team, led by ADRA, aims to provide 120 transitional shelters to households in the communities of El Campamento and Bigua. In addition to shelter provision, the project team provides Psychosocial Support Services (PSS) to the affected population. The PSS aims to strengthen the earthquake-affected individuals' resiliency and capacity to cope with trauma, loss, grief, sorrow, and stress. During the quarter ending in September 2016, the RECOVER Ecuador project team made significant progress in implementing project activities in the sectors of Shelter and Settlements and Protection. Under the Shelter and Settlements sector, 85 transitional shelters were constructed, and the foundation structures for 25 transitional shelters were erected. The project team also conducted a quick assessment of the communities of El Campamento and Bigua and concluded the selection of project beneficiaries. The RECOVER Ecuador team worked with vendors to ensure that construction materials for transitional shelters meet technical requirements set forth by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Urban Development and Housing and pass regulations set forth by the Ministry of Security Coordination, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, and the Ministry of the Environment. The project team also provided hygiene promotion sessions to 131 families (541 individuals) of El Campamento and Bigua communities, delivering training topics such as proper hand washing, vector control, water handling and storage, and water treatment. The project team also provided dental services to the target communities through a mobile dental unit staffed by 6 volunteer dentists, rendering 160 services during 4 days. However, the project did not provide sanitation packages for the construction of latrines and tippy taps as originally intended, as CRS and Caritas began constructing dry toilets in El Campamento and Bigua. The project team requested and received approval from USAID OFDA to divert funds to construct approximately 10 additional shelters, as the shelter needs in El Campamento and Bigua have not been fully met. The RECOVER Ecuador project team also launched and successfully completed the delivery of Psychosocial Support Services (PSS) activities during this quarter. The team worked tirelessly to determine the psychosocial needs of the community, develop customized strategies and curriculum for PSS, and deliver effective PSS to beneficiaries. The project team provided PSS to the affected population, aiming to strengthen their resiliency and capacity to cope with trauma, loss, grief, sorrow, and stress. The RECOVER Ecuador project team has made significant progress in implementing project activities, providing shelter and PSS to earthquake-affected households in Jama Canton, Manabi province, Ecuador. The project aims to promote the recovery of earthquake-stricken populations and provide safe and culturally appropriate transitional shelters to households in the communities of El Campamento and Bigua.