The worst ruins in 80 years have hit desert areas in northern Chile causing widespread destruction.
Caritas in Chile has set up an emergency committee. It is in contact with dioceses to assess the damage and needs.
The 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Chile on 27 February was one of the largest ever recorded. The epicentre was near Chile’s second largest city, Concepción, but tremors were in neighbouring countries such as Argentina and Peru and tsunami warnings were issued in dozens of countries.
It was the worst disaster Chile had suffered in half a century, not only a strong earthquake but a tsunami too. Two million people were affected. Caritas’s emergency response began immediately: its strong local networks helping it reach the most vulnerable people in the most remote areas, often more rapidly than the government could.
By Lorenzo Figueroa, Secretary General of Caritas Chile One year on from the earthquake and tsunami the poor are in a more precarious state. Indeed, an official government study reports that today Chile has 500 thousand more poor people as a result of the disaster. Road infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, has been rebuilt. ...
One year after a devastating earthquake followed by a tsunami that hit Chile, Caritas is continuing to help thousands of victims rebuild their homes and lives. Altogether, the Caritas response reached more than 800,000 people.
Just last week, another 20 families in Curanilahue in Chile could move into their new houses. Providing people who have lost their homes with decent shelter has been a major focus of Caritas’ rehabilitation programmes after the 27 February earthquake. So far, Caritas completed 235 new homes for earthquake victims and repaired or improved 594 ...
Caritas Internationalis has been supporting earthquake victims from the first day of the disaster with emergency aid and long term rehabilitation projects. Altogether, the Caritas response reached more than 800,000 people.
Chile is getting back on its feet six months after the 27 February earthquake left millions without homes and in need of aid. Caritas responded immediately, providing food, shelter, warm clothing and compassion, reaching over a million people. Now Caritas is switching to reconstruction and rehabilitation. But Lorenzo Figueroa, Secretary General of Caritas Chile, says ...