by Maria Fischer •
On Saturday, 23 April, Fr Egon M. Zillekens spoke to the District Gathering of the Lions Club in Saarbrucken about the earthquake in Ecuador, its consequences and its challenges for the people from his former parish near the epicentre. Immediate practical help combined with reflection on the causes of the destruction and chaos to an extent that has happened. For example, “Nobody lives, thinks, educates, builds or organises while taking into account that this is a country subject to earthquakes. That is why the chaos is greater than expected.”
The Lions Club published the following article along with photos and first hand information on its website:
Earthquake relief effort for Ecuador – April 2016
On Saturday, 16 April, a devastating earthquake measuring 7,8 on the Richter Scale hit Ecuador and left a trail of devastation along the Pacific Coast of this Andean state. The epicentre lay between Pedernales, a town with 60,000 inhabitants, and the fishing village, Cojimies.
In Pedenrales 80% of the buildings, as well as water pipes, electricity and telephone connections were destroyed. Fr Egon Zillekens, a German, who was parish priest in Santa Domingo de los Tsáchilas until a few years ago, is in friendly contact with the Lions Club of Laacher See. A few days before the earthquake he was staying precisely at the epicentre. Santa Domingo de los Tsáchilas has now become the main goal of those fleeing the area. It is situated inland about 120 km from the epicentre. Many relief measures are being organised at present.
During the district meeting in Saarbrucken, Fr Zillekens gave a first hand account of a shattering report of his former colleagues and friends about the situation there. The accompanying photos and the report gave a good idea of the extent of the damage and the need of the people.
The Lions Club of Laacher See called upon all the clubs in the district to help the people in Ecuador. “The direct contact of our Clubs in the crisis area ensures that every donated cent will reach its goal and be used meaningfully”, the chairman of the Aid Organisation of the Clubs, Dr Carsten René, explained.
Donations to:
Lions-Hilfe Laacher See e.V.
Stichwort Ecuador
IBAN: DE64 5745 0120 0000 2055 59
BIC: MALADE51NWD
On the outskirts of the same event, Barbara Götze, spokesperson of the Aid Organisation of the German Lions (HDL) pledged prompt help for Ecuador. Thus, among other things, mobile water purification appliances PAUL are being prepared for use. Donations for Ecuador can be made to the account of the HDL and marked Ecuador earthquake.
Earthquake in Ecuador 16 April 2016
Original: German. Translation: Mary Cole, Manchester, UK
