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Responding to the earthquake in Chile
A devastating magnitude 8.8
earthquake struck Chile on Saturday, February 27, 2010, shattering buildings
and bridges and causing the issuance of tsunami warnings for much of Pacific
rim. Damage was particularly heavy in Concepción. That city, Chile’s
second-largest metropolitan area, is located only 70 miles from the
earthquake's epicenter.
Reports as of Monday morning, March
1, 2010 list the death toll at over 700, with a potential of more deaths as
tsunamis hit coastal areas. Approximately 1.5 million homes have been
destroyed.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is
working with our ecumenical partner Church World Service (CWS) in Chile to
provide basic humanitarian assistance and to help local partners in assessing
the needs. One Great Hour of Sharing funds will be used
for an initial response. Gifts for responding in Chile may be designated for
DR000185.
CWS emergency response staff have
been in contact with colleagues on the ground in Chile and is coordinating
their response with two Chilean agencies: FASIC (Fundacion de Ayuda Social de
las Iglesia Cristianas) and the Humanitarian Team of the Methodist Church of
Chile, IMECH. IMECH is part of the National Emergency Office (ONEMI),
the national coordinating body headed by the President. ONEMI has local
chapters in all regions, where coordination takes place with local counterparts.
PDA will also coordinate with
PC(USA) World Mission and their work with CLAI (Latin American Council of
Churches) and with ACT Alliance member Lutheran World Federation.
Carlos Cardenas, PC(USA) mission
co-worker in Nicaragua, is assisting in communication of assessments.
John Robinson, PDA associate for
national response, was in contact with presbytery staff in the Pacific rim
areas over the weekend, in case there were needs arising from tsunamis in the
aftermath of the quake. However, the effects of the tsunami did not
reach the United States.
Reports will be posted on the PDA
Web site as assessments continue and information becomes available.
Who we are | Current responses | Volunteer opportunities | Your gifts at work | Give now
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
A One Great Hour of Sharing Ministry
Email
( 888) 728-7228, x5839
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