Global Impact Charities Respond to Chile Earthquake

In response to the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile on February 27 that left over half a million homes severely damaged, Global Impact charities were quick to respond and pledge support.  Over 1.5 million Chileans were affected by the tremors which caused buildings and roads to collapse. In London, the Chilean ambassador Rafael Moreno thanked the international community for offers of support and said the situation was "under control." 

Examples of what Global Impact charities are doing to support people in need in Chile:

• AmeriCares is sending medical aid and an emergency response team.
• Children International staff are on the ground assisting families in need, and at this time, have no reports of injury to any sponsored children.
• The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) has opened a fund to accept donations for an emergency response to the Chile earthquake. The organization will work with partners and networks on the ground in Chile while considering plans for an organizational response. "The initiating earthquake could displace and possibly leave homeless much of the surviving population where these disasters hit," CRWRC director Andrew Ryskamp said this morning. "CRWRC has the expertise and networks to provide effective and immediate relief in this type of devastating disaster."
• As part of the international ACT Alliance network, Church World Service will work as appropriate to provide emergency assistance such as food, water and shelter to those affected by this disaster. CWS staff continue to be in contact with people in Chile and colleagues in other ACT Alliance agencies to ensure a timely response.
• The Doctors Without Borders/Médicins san Frontières team is already on the ground and plan to focus their work in the regions close to the epicenter, but prioritize peripheral villages and areas where aid takes longer to arrive.
• Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is currently assessing the situation, and the staff is standing ready to rush material aid if needed. Because of LWR's response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti last month, their  stock of material aid is low.  LWR is asking supporters to help replenish stocks of material resources, so they can continue to respond to the dire need in Haiti, as well as having materials available to serve the needs of other countries throughout the world, including Chile.
• Mercy Corps is collecting funds for Chile.  They are also in contact with local organizations on the ground about how best they can support the relief and recovery efforts.
• Oxfam America sent a team of water engineers and logisticians from Colombia and senior humanitarian staff. Jeremy Loveless, Oxfam's deputy humanitarian director, said: "Chile has an effective emergency response system, and a government that is able to organize relief."
• Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) team members are on the ground providing disaster assistance.
• Save The Children is readying to send its emergency assessment team to Chile. "It is critical to reach affected children and families now in the early hours and meet their immediate survival needs. At the same time, we must also ensure that children, because they are at greater risk, are protected and nurtured as their country begins the difficult relief and recovery process," said Charles MacCormack, Save the Children's president and CEO."
• UNICEF and its UN partners are monitoring events and stand ready to help in the aftermath of the earthquake. "UNICEF will assist all those affected by the earthquake in Chile, especially the children," said a spokesperson for the agency.

Learn more about our member charities and their efforts to help the world's most vulnerable people.