Chile Earthquake Appeal
1/03/2010 11:20:55 AM
Act for Peace Response
Rescue teams are hunting for survivors after one of the largest earthquakes on record killed at least 708 people in Chile and triggered the biggest tsunami warning in history. The death toll is set to rise.
Act for Peace’s partner Church World Service (CWS) is providing emergency assistance such as food, water and shelter to those affected by this disaster.
The most important needs right now will be temporary accommodation, food and water and medical care. Many people could also need significant help to cope with the initial shock of this disaster, especially if they have lost loved ones.
CWS emergency staff have been in contact with colleagues on the ground in Chile, who report that staff are safe. CWS has worked in Chile to provide emergency preparedness training and assistance to the country's sizable population of Colombians, displaced to Chile by conflict.
Background
| * |
Death toll surges over 700, likely to rise |
| * |
Curfew imposed in two areas as looting flares |
| * |
Quake causes tsunami waves in Japan, Russia |
| * |
Power cuts affect country's key copper mines (Adds curfew, big copper mine restarts) |
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said that two million people had been affected by the earthquake. It is feared that the damage may cost tens of billions of dollars.
One major rescue effort is in the city of Concepcion, where 100 people are feared trapped in a collapsed apartment block. Villages in the area have been flattened, highways sliced in two and bridges collapsed. About 1.5 million homes have been damaged and police patrols have been stepped up to deter looters. Most of the collapsed buildings were of older design - including many historic structures.
Many Chileans in affected areas have spent the first night since the earthquake outdoors, afraid to stay inside. Many have left their homes to stay with friends and relatives that are better off. In the areas hit by the quake, there is no electricity or water distribution. The hard hit city of Concepcion has not received any food or other aid from Santiago.
Jose Abumohor, of Chile's national emergency centre, said efforts were already under way to restore public services. "The aim is as soon as possible that we manage to reach a state of normality," he said. Foreign Minister Mariano Fernandez said Chile did not want aid offers to be "a distraction", adding: "Any aid that arrives without having been determined to be needed really helps very little." General Secretary John Nduna fully agree. “Our members will try to supplement the effort of the government, specially in communities where our local partners have been operating for years.
