| Headlines |
| 2010 Chilean Earthquake Response |
| The United Way system in Latin America has mobilized to respond to the catastrophic earthquake that hit Chile on the morning of February 27th. 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 worth together to determine the most pressing long-term recovery needs. ON THE GROUND IN CHILE David Harper, the executive director of Corporacion Sociedad Activa, United Way's national organization in Chile, sent a report on February 27th. Translated 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 of 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 Valparaiso, O'Higgins, Maule, Araucania and Bio-Bio, were hardest hit. Authorities estimated 2,000,000 houses damaged and nearly 214 people dead and 15 missing. In metropolitan Santiago, the quake was felt most strongly in the central and southern sectors of the city. The historic center of Santiago 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 overhead 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. Several board members of Sociedad Activa are dealing with their own damaged homes and businesses, but fortunately no children were injured at a preschool operated by the organization. Due to the magnitude of the disaster, United Way Worldwide has activated the UnitedWay Worldwide Disaster Response Fund to help Chileans rebuild their lives. Contributions to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund that are designated for Chile will support the recovery and long-term rebuilding needs of devasted Chilean communities. People can also make contributions to the general long-term recovery fund or to suppor the ongoing recovery work in Haiti. Ways to donate: Online: Financial donations can be made to the Fund at www.unitedway.org/disasterfund (choose Disater Recovery/Rebuilding, Chile or Haiti). By Phone: call 1-866-404-5826. Questions about the Fund can be directed to this toll-free number. Mobile giving: Make a $10 donation by texting CHILE to 864833 (UNITED). Standard text messaging rates apply. By check: Make out to United Way and mail to United Way Worldwide, P.O. Box 630568, Baltimore, MD 21263-0568. The memo line should include "United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund" and, if desired, should indicate Disaster Recovery and Rebuilding, Chile or Haiti. Opportunities for Skilled Volunteers People who want to volunteer, are fluent in Spanish and have prior disaster relief experience and expertise in a technical field such as medicine, communications logistics or water/sanitation engineering can register with the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI.org) volunteer database. Stay Informed United Way Worldwide will send updates as new information becomes available. Go to www.liveunited.org/chileupdate for the most recent updates. |
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