United Way’s Response to the Earthquake in Chile

03/01/10

Photo by dfait-maeci (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dfait-maeci/)

The United Way system in Latin America has mobilized to respond to the catastrophic earthquake that hit Chile on the morning of February 27. United Way's local organization in Chile and other United Way members in the Latin American region have mobilized their staff, volunteer leaders and resources in response, and will work together to determine the most pressing long-term recovery needs.

On the Ground in Chile

David Carter, the executive director of Corporacion Sociedad Activa, United Way's local organization in Chile, sent a report on February 27. Excerpts include:

I regret to communicate with you under these circumstances. But it is important to report what happened in much of Chile.
Today, Saturday 27th February at 3:35 in the morning there was a tremor with characteristics of earthquake in much of Chile… The quake, according to records of international and national agencies in charge of the subject, had an intensity between 8.5 and 8.8 degrees on the Richter scale. The cities with the highest population density in the country, [including]  the regions of Valparaíso, O'Higgins, Maule,Araucania and, [are] hardest hit. Authorities estimated at 2,000,000 houses damaged and nearly 214 people dead and 15 missing.

In Santiago metropolitan region, the quake was felt most strongly in central and southern sectors of the city. The historic center of Santiago, near La Moneda and the civic center of town, has many buildings of the last century [that] suffered severe damage in cracked walls, and landslides hinder the normal traffic on the streets. Also, many high highways [collapsed]. Fortunately, the traffic at that hour was not as speedy, preventing a greater tragedy. There are fires in the industrial north of the city which added the airborne dust, covering the capital with a gray cloud, besides the fear of gas leaks. I pray [that you will] be patient in the sending of information due to the fragility of the communications system. [You] can also follow us on Twitter, we report the facts and relevant information: @UW_Soc_Activa