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Friday, March 05, 2010
Chile Earthquake - How to Help
Written by a Wildland Chilean operator
Due to the magnitude 8.8 earthquake we experienced here in Chile during the early morning hours of Feburary 27th, we have received numerous emails from our many friends and guests throughout the world expressing their concern about us and our country and fellow Chileans.
First of all, we want to say - THANK YOU - to everyone who has written. We appreciate your heartfelt concern and are grateful and touched by everyone who has written to us.
We also wish to reassure everyone that the vast majority of Chile was also unaffected by the earthquake, and many areas of Chile felt nothing at all.
Chile is a very long country (over 2600 miles) and damage in one area of the country does not mean that the whole country is affected, no more than a major earthquake in San Francisco, California would affect Los Angeles or Seattle or New York.
Chile is one of the most seismically active countries in the world
earthquakes here are not uncommon. Subsequently, building codes and
construction standards are very strict. All public and most private
buildings are designed to withstand earthquakes. Except for locations
near the epicenter, virtually all areas of Chile are operating normally
including all major tourist destinations.
We urge you not to consider the recent earthquake as a reason to alter
your travel plans to our area or the unaffected tourist areas of Chile.
As Chile begins its recovery effort, billions of dollars will be needed
to help rebuild the lives of the thousands of Chileans who have lost
their homes, businesses and loved ones to the earthquake. The jobs and
revenue produced by tourism will play a significant part in this
recovery.
If you would like to contribute directly to the relief efforts, we urge you to visit
these links:
Un Techo Para Chile (A Roof for Chile) Similar to Habitat for Humanity, and will help those who lost their homes to rebuild anew.
Hogar de Cristo
(Home of Christ) Founded by a priest who recently was named as a saint.
It focuses on the less fortunate, and will be helping victims of the
earthquake. Hogar de Cristo also accepts and distributes clothing, toys
and food.
Habitat for Humanity or World Vision - Text CHILE to
#25383 or #20222 to donate US$10 to Habitat for Humanity or World Vision respectively.
