The death toll in the earthquake that hit Ecuador over the weekend is climbing toward 500 – and could go much higher. Miami’s Ecuadorean community is mobilizing relief aid – and told WLRN what's needed most.

At the West Kendall headquarters of the Liga Ecuatoriana de Florida, or Florida EcuadoreanLeague, volunteers this week are packing boxes with food, medicine, clothes and other supplies. On a nearby TV screen, anEcuadoreannews network shows devastation from the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit northwestern Ecuador on Saturday.

Ecuador native and League leader MarioOnafears the death toll could ultimately exceed the 5,000 killed in a 1949 quake – the worst in Ecuador’s history.

“I believe that this could be worse,” says Ona. "There are so many remote places they haven't even been able to begin searching through the rubble yet."

A lot ofEcuadoreanexpatsin South Florida feel the same way.Onasays that’s why so many are donating aid and volunteering to box it up to be flown into the South American country.

“We have seen so many new people," he says. "We are surprised by the amount of people that are coming.”

Ecuadorean native Alexandra Gonzaga says the League has received enough clothing. Now, she says,“we need medicine, every type of medicine, including [sterilizing] alcohol.Repellants, because there’s a lot of insects. Sleeping bags, tents, air mattresses. Food, diapers and anything else for babies. Batteries and flashlights.”

Equally important, she says, is canned food.

UPDATE:A 6.1-magnitude aftershock hit Ecuador's coast early this morning.

The Ecuadorean League is located at 12227 SW 132nd Court in Miami, and its phone number is 305-255-8771. You can also find it at www.ligaecuatoriana.org.

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