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While the Chilean media is downplaying the effects of earthquake 27 February, USPG has heard reports that thousands continue to face destitution.
Two million people have serious damage to their houses or have lost their homes altogether, writes Andy Bowman, formerly a USPG Mission Companion in Chile.
Countless have lost jobs and livelihoods; around 100,000 businesses that ‘survived’ the earthquake are now unsustainable in this devastated area.
In many coastal towns 45 per cent of housing was damaged by the earthquake or the tidal wave that followed. In one town, Dichato, the tidal wave swept away 80 per cent of homes, according to government figures.
In the port city of Talcahauno, 27 per cent of housing was lost. As Chile’s winter begins, tens of thousands are still camping out, without access to basic sanitation. Our Anglican friends are trying to help at campsites that are afflicted by plagues of fleas and lice due to a lack of washing facilities.
The government has re-established phone lines, water and electricity in some areas. However, in many locations, city streets remain blocked by debris, including shipping containers and boats washed in from the sea.
200 aftershocks
Following the original 8.8 magnitude earthquake there were 200 aftershocks measuring between 4 and 7.1 on the Richter scale. The biggest tidal wave to strike coastal towns was over 5m high, and in one location debris was found 15m above sea level.
As citizens in Concepcion scrabbled for food and supplies, over 7,000 soldiers were sent to restore order, imposing marshal law and an 18-hour curfew. Emergency food parcels were distributed, and the city council trucks delivered fresh water.
However, little assistance has reached the worst-affected families, and relief efforts have been hampered due to problems with co-ordination between Chile’s out-going and newly-elected governments.
Many churches have been involved in organising aid. The Anglican Church in Santiago sent a large lorry of emergency supplies (food, water, nappies and petrol) to families in Concepcion. The supplies arrived five days after the earthquake and were distributed with the help of Bishop Hector Zavala, who accompanied the lorry through army roadblocks to visit families in Concepcion.
Churches in Temuco also sent two pick-up trucks and a mini-van with emergency supplies to Concepcion within days of the quake.
Posted on 19.04.2010
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