United Way's Response to the Earthquake in Chile
March 1, 2010

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

Earthquake Hits Chile

February 27 2010

Early this morning, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit nearly 200 miles south of its capital, Santiago, with aftershocks of 6.9 and 5.6 magnitudes each. The earthquake that devastated Haiti measured a magnitude 7.0. Chilean television is broadcasting footage of collapsed buildings and roads, and early reports indicate as many as 80 people have died.

The quake is said to be among the largest ever recorded and has spawned tsunami warnings for Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica, as well as other countries along the Pacific coast as far away as Hawaii, Australia and Japan.

United Way Worldwide is in contact with its network in Chile and is assessing the damage to determine its response.

Haiti: United Way's Immediate Response in the Region

United Way is working with Haitian community networks to determine the most pressing long-term recovery needs. United Way will focus on education, income and health, helping reestablish the educational and health infrastructure of Haitian communities, and to work to improve the income-earning potential of Haitian families.

United Ways in

the region and in the U.S.A. have been providing food, water, and other donated goods and building supplies in cooperation with corporate partners. First responders have been activated and physicians have traveled to Haiti.

There is an outpouring of support by

United Ways around the world.  For example, the China Charity Federation (the United Way in China) has been appointed by the Chinese government to receive public donations for Haiti. In Israel, United Way is partnering with the country's leading social organizations to establish a field hospital in Port-au-Prince . United Way Brasil is working with corporate partners to collect financial donations, as well as organizing food and clothing drives. From Guatemala, United Way is providing food and drinking water.

Donations to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund will go toward long-term recovery and rebuilding in Haiti, as well as to meet the needs of Haitians affected by the disaster who have relocated to the U.S. and throughout the Caribbean. 

Click here to read the latest update on

United Way 's Response to Haiti.

For more information about

United Way 's long-term recovery in disasters around the world, click here.

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