Expat Community > Ecuador

ACSGuayaquil
Joined 2016
Posts: 24

Emergency Preparedness

7 years ago

A message regarding Emergency Preparedness from the United States Embassy and Consulate General in Ecuador

In the last several years, thousands of U.S. citizens have moved to Ecuador, drawn by the country’s natural beauty, friendly locals, and rich cultural traditions. Amid the pleasant surroundings, however, it is important to remember that – just like anywhere – emergencies can arise without warning. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General would like to offer the following tips on preparing for emergencies:

Stay Informed, Stay Connected, Stay Safe. The first “step” to being prepared to face an emergency situation abroad is to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP is a free service that allows U.S. citizens who reside or travel abroad to receive important information about safety conditions. Enrolling in STEP helps the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General reach U.S. citizens in a crisis, and it can facilitate contact with family and friends in the event of an emergency. Signing up is free and easy. Enroll today at step.state.gov/step/ and start receiving up-to-date information regarding emergencies, natural disasters, and other announcements for U.S. citizens in Ecuador.

Plan Ahead for Emergencies & Natural Disasters. Being prepared and planning ahead are critical when dealing with unexpected emergencies. Ecuador’s position on active fault lines and the presence of a number of active volcanoes make the country vulnerable to a range of natural hazards, including earthquakes, forest fires, volcanic eruptions, flash floods, landslides, and tsunamis. The most recent example of a major natural disaster was the 7.8-magnitude earthquake on April 16, 2016, which resulted in over 600 fatalities, thousands of injured and displaced people, and a large number of damaged roads, bridges, and buildings. Visit the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute at www.igepn.edu.ec for information and maps regarding recent earthquake and volcanic activity. Given that tsunamis can occur as a result of seismic activity, be sure to familiarize yourself with evacuation routes from a tsunami zone when visiting or residing in coastal areas.

Create an Emergency Communication Plan. Well before a crisis strikes, plan ahead and create an emergency communication plan with your family. Consider things such as what to do if your family is not together when a disaster arises, how each family member will get emergency alerts and warnings, how you will let one another know you are safe (especially if cell phones, landlines, and internet services are not available), and how you will get to an prearranged assembly point. Developing an emergency communication plan allows you and your family to be ready to face the challenges that come with an unexpected crisis. Visit ready.gov/make-a-plan for printable templates and step-by-step instructions for creating your own emergency communication plan.

Prepare a Disaster Supply Kit. In order to be prepared before a natural disaster occurs, it is a good idea to have a basic emergency supply kit with items such as water, a three-day supply of non-perishable foods, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit, and a cell phone with charger. To learn more about creating an emergency kit, go to www.ready.gov/kit .

Be Ready to Travel at a Moment’s Notice. It is important to keep your U.S. passport valid in case it becomes necessary to leave the country on short notice. You may renew your passport at the U.S. Embassy in Quito or at the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil. Passport applications and renewal instructions are available at www.ec.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/.

Important Resources.
• Bookmark travel.state.gov for updates during a crisis or emergency. This is the primary tool the Department of State uses to share information during an emergency, alongside its Facebook (www.facebook.com/travelgov) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/travelgov) platforms.
• All available modes of communication, including radio, TV, social media, and the internet, will be used to keep U.S. citizens informed.
• Visit ec.usembassy.gov, like U.S. Embassy Quito on Facebook, and follow @USEmbassy_Quito on Twitter.
• To understand exactly what the State Department can and cannot do for you during a crisis, visit travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/emergencies/crisis-support.
• Additional country specific information on Ecuador is available at travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/ecuador.html

ECU911, Ecuador’s Emergency Response Service.
• To report an emergency or request police assistance, dial 911 from any telephone in Ecuador. English-speaking operators are on call around the clock within ECU911’s nationwide network of command centers.
• If you are proficient in Spanish, visit the ECU911 website at www.ecu911.gob.ec/ for additional emergency preparedness information.
• Download the agency’s smartphone app at www.ecu911.gob.ec/ecuaplicacion/. The free application allows users to report emergencies and request urgent assistance.

Contact Us. For questions about services for U.S. citizens, contact the U.S. Embassy in Quito at [email protected] or the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil at [email protected] . For after-hours emergencies call the Embassy at (+593) 02-398-5000, or the Consulate General at (+593) 04-371-7000. Stay safe and enjoy Ecuador!

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