Image taken with a mobile device shows Chinese rescuers building temporary housing for survivors in an affected area by the earthquake in Pedernales, Manabi Province, Ecuador, on April 22, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua/Str]

Chinese rescuers have brought relief supplies to Canoa, a coastal town of Ecuador badly hit by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake on April 16.

The rescuers come from government and private organizations as well as Chinese enterprises in Ecuador.

Canoa, located in the west of the Ecuadorian capital Quito, saw nearly 85 percent of its houses collapse.

Local people, who have also been hit by water and electricity outages, are in urgent need of daily necessities.

Margarita Miranda is a resident of Canoa

"This is the arrival of the first batch of relief materials here. They brought rice, sugar, drinking water, and canned food, which all are what we urgently need now."

The disaster area is also facing the threat from epidemic outbreaks as temperatures have risen above 30 degrees Celsius since the quake happened.

Wang Gang, a member of the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, is in Canoa and describes the situation on the ground:

"There are many rotten bodies, which are stinking and breeding virus. When we arrived here, local doctors told us that the environment is very bad, and that they are short of disinfection liquid and equipment. We have divided the area into sections, and we are clearing them one after another every day."

The situation may worsen if it rains, as mosquitos are likely to breed more quickly, and water sources may become polluted.

Chinese rescuers say they will continue relief efforts and education to prevent epidemics in the worst-hit areas until the local government can complete the relocation of residents and the clearing of debris.

Author： 　　　Source：CRI　　　 Editor：Yang Fan