Government of Canada ready to send DART to Ecuador if needed

The Government of Canada is awaiting the assessment of the Canadian Disaster Assessment Team (C-DAT) before deciding to send the CAF Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Ecuador.

The team was sent to the South American nation after a request for assistance was made by the Ecuadorian government after the country was rocked by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 16.

The team was deployed to Ecuador on April 18 and consists of six experts three from Global Affairs Canada and three from the Department of National Defence. The team assesses the rapid humanitarian needs of those most affected and to make recommendations on how Canada can support those areas.

Minister of National Defence, Harjit Sajjan, has indicated that they would be ready to deploy DART, if needed.

“The DART team provides great capability for humanitarian resource. It’s always there once a request is made. We’d be happy to do the assessment for that.

“I’m already in consultations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs on this and we’re always ready and able to assist wherever it is needed,” told Sajjan to members of the media on April 18.

CBC has reported that the death toll has risen to 654, four of whom have been confirmed Canadian citizens. The country is still faced with a series of strong tremors and aftershocks. Tremors are expected to continue for several weeks.

Canada has already deployed members of Department’s Standing Rapid Deployment Team to Ecuador to provide support to the Embassy of Canada in Quito and the Consulate in Guayaquil.

Featured image: Sgt Yannick Bédard, Canadian Forces Combat Camera