Emergency Assistance to Ecuador for Tungurahua Volcanic Eruption Disaster

July 20, 2006

In response to a large-scale disaster caused by the eruption of Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador, the Government of Japan decided on July 20 (Thu) to extend to the Government of Ecuador emergency assistance in kind (tents, blankets, water purifiers, electricity generators, etc.) equivalent to about 10 million yen.
As of July 18 (Tue), the eruption of Tungurahua volcano killed one person and obliged some 12,000 people to evacuate, causing a lot of damage to farm land, agricultural produce and livestock in the Provinces of Chimborazo and Tungurahua, which have the volcano. It is feared that such disaster will spread to other provinces.

In Ecuador, afflicted people are forced to lead a difficult life as refugees in wide-ranging areas. The Government of Ecuador, while making self-help efforts for rehabilitation, has requested emergency assistance from the international community.
The Government of Japan has decided to provide this emergency assistance from a humanitarian point of view and taking account of the friendly relations between Japan and Ecuador.

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