Last Saturday’s 6.5 earthquake forced me to break the basic rule of 20 seconds, drop, cover, hold. I flew down the stairs. I ran towards the house with the asphalt at my heels. I urgently had to go to my elderly aunts (one blind and both with difficulty moving), whom I left alone in the shopping. He was questioning those ten blocks away. The 8.8 and 8.2 earthquakes in Chile in 2010 and 2014 and the experienced drills clarified the protocol for me; however, the situation of each event is unpredictable. I didn’t do it right. I imagined them anxious between walls and changing nooks and crannies; more when we remember the magnitude 7.8 of 2016 that destroyed Manabí, Esmeraldas and its continuation of deceased, missing and victims.

Here, earthquakes of magnitude 4 or 5 cause greater alarm and damage due to the lack of preventive measures, such as rigorous construction conditions; encourage seismically resistant buildings; timely intervene and/or strengthen unsafe properties; periodic training and exercises, among other things, to create a seismic culture and mitigate the effects. The crisis forces many to live in dangerous areas. The Department of Housing, the Secretary of Risk Management, and the State generally must prepare or relocate said sites in advance.

35 people died from the earthquake and rain; The government announced actions

I begged them to be well, not to be afraid and to remember our conversations about what to do in these cases: protect the head; try to meet at the agreed place; stay away from cupboards, shelves and glass windows; etc. It seemed to me that I was going in slow motion; my friends saw ball lightning.

To come home. They sat in the agreed place and sang childhood lullabies preserved in their memories.

We don’t raise our heads. Social upheavals in 2019 and 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic, unmanageability, economic crisis, unemployment, problems in education, healthcare; corruption, insecurity, forced migration, legislative and executive conflict, possible impeachment, death on the cross, new rebellions and, as if that were not enough, nature strikes where it hurts the most and finds a weakened state, decaying institutions, neglected road maintenance, social fabric broken, critical mental health.

A state of emergency is in place in 14 provinces due to winter and earthquake devastation

To come home. They sat in the agreed place and sang childhood lullabies preserved in their memories. I asked them about the earthquake. It was very strong, mijo – replied one. He is surprised by my soaked T-shirt; their peace to me. I saw everything in place, except the courtyard wall. As part of the Pacific Ring of Fire we are exposed to these phenomena. It is important to speak them in the family, in the neighborhood, mainly with children and the elderly; have contingency plans; Have supplies such as flashlights, a supply of non-perishable food, water, a portable radio, a first aid kit, batteries, whistles and more.

The government and the state should strengthen preventive actions, encourage more training, technical assistance, provide psychological assistance to those affected by human losses and homes. We cannot predict these events, but we can prepare the population about the risks (before-during-post) to mitigate their impact on the community. (OR)