news & events
Chile appeal
Residents salvage materials from debris in Pelluhue, Chile after the earthquake on February 28. Image courtesy of Reuters/Ivan Alvarado www.alertnet.org |
The earthquake in Chile in February - the country's worst for 50 years - claimed hundreds of lives and left thousands homeless. Measuring 8.8 on the Richter Scale, it hit an area close to Concepcion, Chile's second largest city, devastating many communities. The capital, Santiago which is 200 miles north of the epicentre, was also affected. Entire fishing villages were washed away along the coast and over 1.5 million homes were damaged, forcing tens of thousands of people to live outdoors.
Our emergency partner has been assessing the situation. As a result, the Inter-Church Committee dispatched aid shipments. Water, food, blankets, sanitation, hygiene and shelter brought temporary relief to the most vulnerable families affected by the earthquake.