UPDATE: Thank you for your incredible help and support! Together, we donated $10,000 to the Canadian Red Cross Ecuador Appeal.
If you would like to make a further donation, please contribute at redcross.ca/ecuador.
Ecuador experienced one of the largest earthquakes in its recent history this past Saturday, April 16th. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake has caused widespread and extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and tragically, a great loss of life and many injuries to people of all ages.
Purdys’ President & Chocolate Scientist Peter Higgins has been in touch with our Sustainable Cocoa partners (TCHO) on the ground in Ecuador.
Sadly, the provinces where our Ecuadorian cocoa is grown – Manabí and Esmeraldas – are two of the most badly affected provinces in the country. We have confirmed that a number of cocoa-processing facilities and communities associated with our co-op program have been damaged, but thankfully, with no fatal casualties to report. Our condolences, thoughts and well-wishes go out to all our farmer partners and their families and communities affected by this disaster.
In light of these recent events, Purdys would like to show our financial support via a donation to the Canadian Red Cross Ecuador Appeal that is currently providing essential humanitarian assistance in the region.
Purdys’ team will continue to stay in touch with our partners at TCHO and provide more updates from our cocoa communities as they become available.
