Offering prayer for Ecuador and Japan

Posted Apr 18, 2016 in News

Over the past week, several earthquakes of varying magnitudes have hit different parts of the world, with the most severe affecting vast numbers of people in Japan and Ecuador.

Two powerful earthquakes hit the south-western island of Kyushu in Japan last week, resulting in the death of at least 42 people. More than 1,000 people have been injured, and massive damage has been caused to homes, buildings, roads and infrastructure. Rescue workers continue to look for survivors and 11 people remain missing. Approximately 270,000 people have been left without water and gas, while 35,000 are without electricity. Landslides have cut off many remote mountain villages.

Since the earthquakes hit, almost 250,000 have been advised to leave their homes amid fear that further shocks could put more people in the region in danger. Evacuees have been sent to community centres and shelters, but many of these are already running low on food and water according to reports from the BBC and the Guardian.

Ecuador was hit by a magnitude-7.8 earthquake on Saturday 16 April – the most powerful to hit the region in decades. Coastal areas in Ecuador’s north-west were closest to the epicentre and have been severely affected by the disaster, although damage has been reported as far south as Guayaquil, approximately 300km away.

Already at least 272 people have been confirmed dead and more than 1,500 injured. Officials believe the death toll will probably rise as they receive further information and the attempt to find survivors continues.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has declared a state of emergency. Efforts to recover survivors have been prioritised. Approximately 10,000 soldiers and 4,600 police officers have been sent to affected areas to help with recovery operations and to establish temporary shelters. Many Ecuadorians have taken to digging through rubble themselves, searching for loved ones. Others have been rendered homeless and have had to sleep on the streets.

The scale of these disasters in Japan and Ecuador is difficult to comprehend.

At this time of tragedy and uncertainty, Uniting Church SA Moderator Dr Deidre Palmer urges members of the church to join her in praying for those devastated by the recent earthquakes:

“We pray for the people of Ecuador and Japan and all those affected by the devastating earthquakes in those regions.

“We pray for the families and friends of those who have been killed – may they know God’s comfort and love.

“We pray for all those who have been injured, and all those emergency services, who are responding to the crises. May God give them strength and sustain them, as they work to bring practical services, healing and restoration to the communities affected.”

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