PokerStars Launches Appeal For Ecuador's Earthquake Victims

On April 16th, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador resulting in more than 654 deaths, 16,600 injuries, as well as wide scale devastation and destruction throughout the country of 15.74 million. Following what the Ecuadorian President described as the “worst tragedy to hit the South American nation in decades,” eight days of national mourning were subsequently declared.
In the meantime, rescue operations are continuing around the clock to pull people from the rubble, while 24,000 people have lost their homes, and countless more now have no access to essential services, such as water, sanitation, or electricity. The disaster is expected to cost the country at least $3 billion, and as President Rafael Correa commented after visiting several disaster zones:
“It’s hard to imagine the magnitude of the tragedy. Every time we visit a place, there are more problems.”
Against this backdrop, PokerStars has now set up its own aid appeal, in partnership with CARE International, and is asking its players to support relief efforts by donating whatever they are able. As the site explains on its blog section:
“With your help CARE can continue delivering urgent lifesaving earthquake relief to those affected by the Ecuador Earthquake. We have set up a page where you can use 2,000 StarsCoin to make a $20 donation to CARE. That $20 could provide two families with clean water making a real difference to real people in a terrible situation.”
In addition to accepting StarsCoin donations, anyone can also donate directly towards the Ecuadorian disaster fund via the CARE international website.
PokerStars has a history of offering charitable support during times of humanitarian crisis, and last year raised $255,447 for those affected by the Nepalese earthquakes which tore through the country in 2015. It also contributes to a range of charitable causes, from raising funds for Brazil’s under privileged, to supporting Autism Speaks in New Jersey.