On the 16th April 2016 at 18:58 local time, the earth became alive for 75 seconds in Ecuador. An earthquake of the magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale hit the Manabi province and created a path of chaos and destruction on most of the Ecuadorian coast. The most affected provinces were Manabi and Esmeraldas, which are also some of the most impoverished areas in the country, with a million and a half people living, which represents around 10% of Ecuador population.
This catastrophe resulted in thousands of displaced, injured and a final number of 671 people killed, including the victims of the replica that again shook the earth on the 18th May 2016.The government is trying to help the most it can, but facing a financial crisis connected to the drop in oil prices, the help is not going as quickly as the population wished and with it comes criticism where mostly are tired of waiting. With all the inherent problems to a catastrophe of this magnitude people of Ecuador demonstrate their resilience and that they are eager to move on with their lives despite all the difficulties.
This is Ecuador, six months after the ground became alive.
