UPDATE: Feb. 29, 2008 - The Tungurahua Volcano activity has decreased significantly, and Compassion Ecuador has suspended its emergency warning for the Chimborazo Province. Life in the province has returned to normal. No additional Compassion-assisted children were affected since the previous update.
Praise God for His protection.
Feb. 7, 2008 - Following a small blast from Ecuador's Tungurahua Volcano, the President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, has extended the emergency status in the area. The decree mandates an evacuation of local citizens and the suspension of classes for Tungurahua Province and five cantons of Chimborazo Province. Ecuadorian officials are concerned that a major eruption is imminent.
Four Compassion children in Pampanitos Student Center (EC-467) have gotten skin infections from the volcanic ash, and one child has developed an eye infection.
Eight Compassion child development centers are threatened by the volcano.
- Vida Nueva Student Center (EC-420)
- Nazareno Student Center (EC-421)
- Voice and Christian Thinking (EC-445)
- Rato Feliz Student Center (EC-446)
- Hogar Feliz Student Center (EC-460)
- Manos Cariñosas (EC-465)
- Amiquitos de Cristo (EC-466)
- Pampanitos Student Center (EC-467)
These centers are located in Riobamba city and Guano Canton (Chimborazo Province) situated about 83 miles from Ambato city in Tungurahua Province where the volcano is situated. The activities in these projects have been suspended.
Compassion staff are visiting children's homes in order to evaluate their personal situations and provide education and training to families regarding preventive care and crisis response.
Compassion centers have been authorized to invest their monthly funds for the purchase of masks, while staff are establishing contact with several medical teams to take prompt action to respond to an elevated situation. Furthermore, Pampanitos Student Center (EC-467) has been assigned as official shelter by the Civil Defense.
Prayer requests for the children, families, church partners and staff in Ecuador.
Compassion Ecuador will provide updates when information becomes available.
Compassion International will contact you if your sponsored child has been affected.
