UN agency starts community work, debris removal in Ecuador after powerful quake

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) kicked off community work and debris removal for Ecuadorian families deeply affected by the April 16 earthquake, a UN spokesman said here Tuesday.

Around 30 women and men are working on debris management and repair of critical community infrastructure in the rural coastal city of Las Gilces, 400 km west of the capital, Quito, in the hard hit coastal province of Manabi, Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

"The cash-for-work initiative will soon expand to other affected locations."

Also, some of the biggest stars in Latin music will perform in a benefit concert entitled "Ecuador Aqui Estoy" which means "I am here for you" in Miami, the U.S. state of Florida, on Wednesday at 8 p.m. local time (24OO GMT), he said.

"Proceeds generated through ticket sales will be donated to UNDP to place earthquake-affected communities at the heart of recovery efforts," he added.

The 7.8-magnitude quake struck Ecuador on the night of April 16. As of last week, 658 people were killed and 27,638 others injured, according to official figures.

A total of 1.9 million people have been affected, including an estimated 350,000 people in need of assistance. Enditem