Ecuadorian in Winnipeg worries awareness for earthquake victims on decline

A man from Ecuador who's living in Winnipeg says he hopes people continue to remember those that are still affected by the aftermath of the earthquake in his home country.

The death toll from Ecuador's devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake last week has risen to 654 people, with at least 58 people still missing, the country's emergency management authority said on Saturday.

• Ecuador earthquake death toll tops 650

"It's very sad and I think it's important to provide any kind of help," said Esteban Vallejo-Toledo, who's been living in Winnipeg for just over a year.

He says most of his family live in Ecuador and he's relieved they are doing OK. He says he's still in disbelief over what happened.

"Fortunately they are okay but they are really concerned because the aftershocks are still being felt all over the country," Vallejo-Toledo said.

"I'm still very concerned because it was a surprise, nobody expected that, because my country is a secure country. Despite being in an area surrounded by volcanoes, we haven't been affected for many years." Vallejo-Toledo said.

Vallejo-Toledo said he noticed in the last week there's been little information about how the public can help in the relief efforts.

"This week I haven't found enough information regarding this issue, so I think it's very important to provide that information in order to encourage more people to help." 

He says the Ecuadorian community in Winnipeg is small and he hasn't heard of any fundraising efforts being planned in the city yet.

Vallejo-Toledo says the best way to donate is through the Red Cross or the Ecuador Embassy in Canada.

"Canada has been providing some financial assistance, but as you know some cities of  my country will need to be rebuilt again and that is something terrible — especially when the number of victims is increasing."