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Chile Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Response
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Last updated April 22, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.
On February 27, 2010, an earthquake of magnitude 8.8 occurred in the moderately populated region of Biobío in central Chile, 56 miles northeast of the city of Concepción. An ensuing tsunami affected the island of Juan Fernandez and communities the along the coast in the region of Biobío causing major damage to ports and the population. The region continues to experience aftershocks.
The International Federation of the Red Cross launched a preliminary emergency appeal of $6.4 million to all Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in order to assist the Chilean Red Cross on Tuesday, March 2nd. The American Red Cross is accepting donations in response to this appeal through www.redcross.org, by calling 314.516.2800, via mail to the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, or by texting "CHILE" to 90999.
Last updated April 22, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.
On February 27, 2010, an earthquake of magnitude 8.8 occurred in the moderately populated region of Biobío in central Chile, 56 miles northeast of the city of Concepción. An ensuing tsunami affected the island of Juan Fernandez and communities the along the coast in the region of Biobío causing major damage to ports and the population. The region continues to experience aftershocks.
The International Federation of the Red Cross launched a preliminary emergency appeal of $6.4 million to all Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in order to assist the Chilean Red Cross on Tuesday, March 2nd. The American Red Cross is accepting donations in response to this appeal through www.redcross.org, by calling 314.516.2800, via mail to the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, or by texting "CHILE" to 90999.
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FAQ
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The Red Cross Response in Chile
►How is the American Red Cross responding to the earthquake in Chile?
Since the earthquake struck Chile on February 27, the American Red Cross has raised approximately $3.8 million (as of 3:00 p.m. 04/13/10) that will be spent entirely on Chilean relief and recovery efforts. The American Red Cross has already contributed $1 million for emergency relief supplies such as tarps, water carrying cans and hygiene kits for distribution by the Chilean Red Cross.
The Red Cross global network dispatched a team of regional disaster specialists to Chile to provide technical support in damage assessments, health, relief and information management. The American Red Cross is working with Chilean Red Cross to provide assistance to address additional needs of earthquake survivors.
►Why is the American Red Cross response to the Chile earthquake so different -- in these first few days – from its response following the Haiti quake?
While the devastation from earthquake in Chile is widespread, the country did not experience the same extent of mass destruction seen in Haiti’s January earthquake which left its densely populated capital, Port-au-Prince, in rubble. Even though the earthquake was more powerful in Chile, much of the infrastructure was built to a higher building standards and the government and civil authorities have a greater capacity to respond.
The Chilean Red Cross has extensive experience responding to earthquakes and other disasters. They immediately activated their disaster teams following the earthquake and continue to work in close coordination with the government’s National Emergency Office. Internationally, the American Red Cross provides assistance at the request of the Red Cross in that country. We are working with the Chilean Red Cross set priorities for additional assistance.
►Is the American Red Cross prepared to handle another disaster?
Yes. As the largest humanitarian network in the world, the Red Cross has both the experience and the capacity to respond to multiple disasters at the same time.
Today, we are supporting the Red Cross response to the earthquakes in Chile and Haiti, but also the response to a number of other disasters around the world.
There are many ways the American Red Cross can support countries during a disaster: financially, with trained personnel and with relief supplies. We are prepared to help in other ways if/when the Chilean Red Cross makes such a request.
We have done this before. In 2008, the Red Cross responded to a cyclone in Myanmar and a massive earthquake that struck China just days later. Last year, the Red Cross responded to a series of major disasters that hit the Asia and Pacific region within a week: back-to-back typhoons in Southeast Asia, an earthquake in Indonesia and a tsunami impacting America Samoa and Samoa.
►Did the American Red Cross have staff on the ground in Chile like you did in Haiti?
No. We did not have American Red Cross staff in Chile, although we have disaster specialists in Peru and Panama. The global Red Cross network sent a regional disaster expert from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile. In addition, a small regional Red Cross disaster team is in Chile to provide technical support in damage assessments, health, relief and information management. Other Red Cross disaster specialists from Red Cross national societies in the region are assessing the response on the ground.
►Will the Red Cross use money donated for Haiti to provide relief in Chile?
No. We honor donor’s wishes. Money donated for Haiti will go to Haiti until the last dollar is spent there. And money donated to Chile will go to Chile.
►We understand the Chilean Red Cross is collecting blood for the victims of the earthquake. Will the American Red Cross be sending blood to Chile?
There has been no international request for blood products from the Chilean Red Cross and we believe this need can be addressed within Chile.
How to Help
►Are you fundraising for Chile?
Following a request for international assistance from the Chilean Red Cross, the American Red Cross is now accepting donations specifically for response and recovery in Chile. This includes Chile-designated donations made through www.redcross.org, through calls to 314.516.2800, via mail to the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, or by texting “CHILE” to 90999. People can also call 1-800-257-7575 to make a donation in Spanish.
►How can people best support the international work of the American Red Cross?
People can help the victims of countless crises like the earthquakes in Chile and Haiti, around the world each year, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.
The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation by either contacting 314.516.2800 or 1.800.257.7575 (Spanish), mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, 10195 Corporate Square Drive, St. Louis, MO 63132, or texting "CHILE" to 90999 . Internet users can make a secure online contribution by clicking here.
►Are you activating text CHILE to 90999 to raise money for Chile relief?
The American Red Cross has activated a mobile fundraising campaign for Chile relief. Mobile donors can text “CHILE” to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the American Red Cross for our support of the relief efforts in Chile.
Contacting Missing Loved ones in Haiti
►How can I find loved ones in Chile?
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has launched a Family Links Website aimed at enabling people in Chile and abroad to register the names of relatives with whom they wish to restore contact. People seeking news from their loved ones can register the name of the missing individuals directly on the site at: http://www.icrc.org/familylinks.
Media Information
►I am a member of the media and would like information on how the Red Cross is responding.
Please contact our media hotline at 314.406.1920 or visit our newsroom. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Education
►What resources are available to teach earthquake or disaster preparedness?
The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter offers free community disaster education for adults and children. For more information on Community Disaster Education programs or to schedule a presentation, contact Elena Sabin at (314) 516.2753 or at esabin@redcrossstl.org.
You can also download the “Be Red Cross Ready” Earthquake Safety Checklist. Additional disaster-specific resources are available in the Disaster Safety Tips section of the website.
►How can I talk to my children about Natural Disasters?
In light of recent world events and events that continue to affect our children here at home, Sesame Street along with the American Red Cross are offering parents, caregivers and other adults, these tips on how to help children understand and cope with the effects of natural disasters. Click here to download “ Helping Children Understand Natural Disasters.”
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