After talking to local partners we have decided to send in a team to Ecuador.Our local partners will pick us up in Quito and on Tuesday morning we will head to the coast near the epicenter.  Our first priority we be to determine what the rescue needs are. Our team is equipped with the tools needed for search and rescue. We will partner with the local fire departments and hospitals to evaluate the needs there. We will also meet with local authorities to assess the future needs and will send more if necessary.
Please consider donating to this cause as we are all volunteer and depend on donations to continue to provide relief. We are a Non-Profit, 501 (c) 3, tax-exempt organization.

-- Dan

I'm not sure how I'm writing this in a truck full of people descending from 9000 ft in Quito to sea level. It's like we are in a Red Bull extreme sports video. We are Enroute to the coast to assess the need and help as we can. We have made a great response time and Are even passing the Red Cross convoy. If I make it to the coast alive, I will be fluent in Ecuadorian Romance songs being that is all that is on. More later. We are stopping in Esmaraldas to replace the steel on steel brake pads. Seriously.

It's the smell you never forget. Burning garbage, concrete dust and death. It' s everywhere. We are in Pantagales. Houses are leveled, people are dead or missing. Yet, the people smile. They are so thankful we are here. At this point all we can do is try to find the remaining  17 missing friends and family and give the family some peace. Please help us do this. Even a small donation will help keep teammates from One Flag Disaster Response Team responding until everyone is brought home.

-- Dan

This morning, in the Badahhshan Province of Afghanistan, there was a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in a sparsely populated area. We placed our team on standby and were ready to deploy in 3 hours. At the time of this writing, there have been no confirmed deaths and only 27 injuries. We have been in contact with our partners on the ground and have decided that there is not a need to respond at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and will deploy a Team if needed.
Disasters are unpredictable. Please consider donating to our Organization so we can continue to prepare and equip ourselves so we will be ready when needed.

Happy Holidays! We hope it was well spent with friends and family. As we put away presents and clean out the leftovers, let us not forget what happened 12 years ago today.  The Indian Ocean Earthquake and the resulting Tsunami killed over 230,000 people in 14 countries. This was the third largest earthquake ever recorded placing 9.1 on the seismograph. Relief Organizations from all over the world descended onto those countries to provide fast relief and support, providing over (US) $14 billion worth of humanitarian aid. Providing aid is not cheap.  We have to have insurance, have proper communication devices, provide our own gear for sleeping and working, airfare, food, water, security, translators, as well as medical and other supplies depending on the situation. 
 
I know this time of year can be difficult financially for all of us but unfortunately Disasters don’t wait for a “good time”. Please find it in yourselves to donate just a little to Prepare ONE FLAG for the next disaster.

Happy Holidays Friends!
The holidays are a time for being with family and celebrating. Imagine losing your home, possessions, and/or family members during this time of year. It happens. Two years ago Typhoon Yolanda struck the Philippines and decimated entire communities. One year ago Typhoon Ruby struck in almost the same location in the Philippines. In December 2004 East Asia was hit with a tsunami that killed thousands of people. We were there. We saw first hand the horrific damage and loss of life that these catastrophe's make.
Most typhoons, hurricanes, and tsunamis happen during this time of year. We need your help to build our team. Think about your loved ones and how you would immediately want help to be on the way. That's what we do, but we need your help!
Please find it in your hearts to donate to us so we can go and help others immediately when disaster strikes.

We're excited to announce the new One Flag DRT website, oneflagdrt.org. Be sure to check back to this blog frequently to get updates on everything happening with One Flag.