( – promoted by buhdydharma )
The New York Times reports:
A strong aftershock struck Chile on Sunday, a day after a destructive 8.8-magnitude earthquake left hundreds of people dead and a long swath of the country in smoky rubble.
The death toll was expected to rise, particularly around Concepción, Chile’s second-largest metropolitan area, which is roughly 70 miles from the quake’s center. The aftershock was reported around 8:30 local time Sunday morning from the capital of Santiago, where it shook buildings, according to Reuters.
More than 1.5 million people have displaced by the quake, according to local news services that quoted the director of Chile’s emergency management office. In Concepción, which appeared to be especially hard hit, the mayor said Sunday morning that 100 people were trapped under the rubble of a building that had collapsed, according to Reuters.
Elsewhere in Concepción, cars lay mangled and upended on streets littered with telephone wires and power cables. A new 14-story apartment building fell, while an older, biochemical lab at the University of Concepción caught fire.
In other words, what Chilean President Michele Bachelet called a “catastrophe.”
Time, again, to get out the checkbook. Please remember that this is the internet. Heroics aren’t required, all that’s needed are large amounts of people giving small amounts of money.
The Nation let’s us know how to help:
Save The Children — Save The Children is sending an emergency assessment team to Chile, and is asking for contributions to its Children’s Emergency Fund to aid these efforts.
World Vision — The international development, relief and advocacy organization has already sent its first relief flight, from Bolivia this afternoon, with supplies like tarps, blankets, plastic sheeting, and collapsible water containers for survivors. Support these efforts with earmarked gifts to families that need them.
AmeriCares — Vice President of Emergency Response, Christoph Gorder, says AmeriCares is sending medical supplies and humanitarian aid to Chile. Make a direct contribution to AmeriCares’ Chilean earthquake fund.
Habitat for Humanity — Habitat for Humanity has a continual presence in Chile, where the group has constructed more than 1,300 homes. Habitat will be essential in reconstruction efforts, especially in hard-hit rural areas.
International Medical Corps — IMC has a presence in dozens of countries around the globe, providing immediate medical care to those affected by natural disasters. Contribute to its emergency response fund.
ShelterBox — International disaster relief agency ShelterBox has mobilized a team to bring aid to Concepcion, Chile’s second largest city, which saw the worse damage.
There are other groups I like to support I have not listed here. I will update this later to add them. Also, I have some antipathy to some of the groups here, particularly World Vision, because of their proselytizing activities to indigenous people in the high Andes, but right now I think the primary idea is to get aid on the ground. There doesn’t seem to me to be time to apply litmus tests to the groups that can help right now.
Update: 2/28/10, 1:15 pm ET: Please add to groups that can help the following:
Oxfam America and
Update: 2/28/10, 1:30 pm ET: You can also donate via text message as follows:
* Text CHILE to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross
* Text CHILE to 23583 to donate $10 to Habitat for Humanity
* Text CHILE to 20222 to donate $10 to World Vision
* Text CHILE to 50555 to donate $10 to the Friends of World Food Program
* Text CHILE to 52000 to donate $10 to the Salvation Army
* Text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10 to Operation USA
* Text 4CHILE to 50555 to donate $10 to Convoy of Hope
Update: 2/28/10, 1:35 pm ET: google is supporting donations to UNICEF and Direct Relief International.
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simulposted at dailyKos and The Dream Antilles. Feel free to copy and post elsewhere.
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Appreciated!