22/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - EU increases aid to Ecuador. European aid is being stepped up through the EU's civil protection mechanism in order to respond to Ecuador's request for assistance since being devastated by a very powerful earthquake on 16 April (see EUROPE 11534). On Friday 22 April, research teams and emergency equipment provided by four member states (France, Italy, Spain and the UK) were on their way to Ecuador. Furthermore, the European Commission stated that a team comprising civil protection experts and engineers from eight member states (Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK) has been set up in Quito. The Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre is following the situation closely and the Commission is co-financing the cost of transporting resources, both human and material. (AN)