Chile earthquake response

Rescuers use shovels and sledgehammers to find survivors [REUTERS/Victor Ruiz Caballero ]

As a member of the Caritas Federation, CAFOD has immediately pledged £50,000 to our Caritas partners to assist with the relief effort following Saturday's (28th February) earthquake in Chile.

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Caritas in Chile is mobilising to help survivors after a massive earthquake struck near the second largest city, Concepción. The quake measured 8.8. It has killed hundreds and devastated large parts of the country leaving two million people affected.

“We expect these numbers to increase once we receive reports back from more remote rural areas”, says Clare Dixon, CAFOD’s Head of Latin America and Caribbean.

“The brunt of the quake was felt in some of the poorest regions where people are already living a hand-to-mouth existence as seasonal farm labourers. Their lives are particularly vulnerable to this sort of shock and they don’t have the resources to recover from it. It’s not just what happens to them now but how they will be able to rebuild their lives."

The poor are hit hardest

The area South of Concepcion is a centre for Mapuche indigenous communities who have traditionally fared poorly in the human development index. Many became landless under legislation introduced by General Pinochet. Their livelihoods are precarious, relying on seasonal work on plantations and vineyards in the region. CAFOD has supported women seasonal workers to improve their rights and working conditions.

Bishop Alejandro Goic, President of the Chilean Episcopal Conference, said that parishes and local Caritas centres have been put into action to help affected people. The first emergency aid is being distributed in Maule and Bío Bío, the worst affected regions.

Caritas Chile Director Lorenzo Figueroa said, “Caritas Chile is working in coordination with governmental and civil society organisations in establishing a national help network in spite of enormous communications difficulties.

“We are collecting food to be sent immediately to communities which have been most affected by the earthquake and where shortages are already being reported. Our own communications network and capacity to offer warehouses and points of collection and distribution are immediately available.

“The magnitude and depth of the catastrophe which has affected the poorest regions of the country will require the support of Caritas members in Latin America and worldwide. Above all, hope is needed among our suffering people.”

Caritas centres in 23 dioceses and archdioceses in Chile have been mobilized with help from the parishes.

Meanwhile, an international Caritas emergency response team is travelling to Santiago today to help support relief efforts.

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