More than 280 schools have been damaged by the earthquake that hit Ecuador on April 16, leaving up to 120,000 children temporarily without education, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Tuesday.

"Education is a lifeline for children going through the trauma of chaos and destruction," said Grant Leaity, the UNICEF representative in Ecuador. "It helps give them a daily routine and a sense of purpose and puts them on track for psychological recovery."

The earthquake, which measured 7.8 on the Richter scale, has left at least 655 people dead, 4,605 more injured, 48 others missing, and 29,067 people in shelters, according to the latest official estimate.

UNICEF is supporting the government's efforts to get children back to learning, particularly in the worst affected areas of Muisne, Pedernales, Jama, and some parts of Portoviejo, Manta and Chone.

UNICEF will install 50 temporary learning spaces for 20,000 children and distribute school supplies to benefit 60,000 children.

Aid and government agencies are still assessing the full extent of the damage. Fear of aftershocks is pushing people to sleep outdoors, exposed to the heavy rains which are common during this season.

UNICEF and its humanitarian partners need 23 million U.S. dollars to respond to children's immediate needs in water, sanitation, education, child protection, health and nutrition over the next three months.

Source: XINHUA