Following a deadly 8.8-magnitude earthquake, one of the strongest ever recorded, the extent of the humanitarian crisis in some of the worse hit areas in south-central Chile is becoming apparent, reports the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), which is coordinating with disaster response authorities to provide assistance.
The Chilean National Office of Emergencies and Information (ONEMI) has called ADRA to assist immediately with food and water distribution. Agency officials have already met with ONEMI to coordinate the aid. As a result, ADRA dispatched a truckload of water, which left Saturday afternoon from the capital Santiago on its way to Talca and Concepción, two cities close to the quake’s epicenter. Mattresses, blankets, and other basic necessities are also being procured for distribution.
Meanwhile, residents in affected areas, including the cities of Curicó, Chillán, Talca, Concepción, and Los Angeles, remain jittery as aftershocks continue to occur. So far, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has recorded more than 105 aftershocks stronger than 5.0 magnitude since the quake happened Saturday at 3:34 a.m. local time (1:34 a.m. EST / 6:34 UTC).
“People are out of their homes, and many are thinking of sleeping outside for fear of the aftershocks,” said Jorge Alé, country director for ADRA Chile.
According to ONEMI, which continues to survey the affected areas with the support of the Army and the National Police, the human death toll has risen to more than 700, an estimated 500,000 homes have been destroyed and 1.5 million others have suffered various degrees of damage.
"The number of victims could get higher," said President-Elect Sebastian Piñera, who will take office in March.
The cities of Curicó, Talca, Chillán, Concepción, and Los Ángeles, which suffered the brunt of the quake’s force, remain without access to clean drinking water, according to disaster officials. In addition, approximately two million people have been directly affected, President Michelle Bachellet announced during a televised interview Saturday.
"The forces of nature have badly affected our country," said Ms. Bachelet.
The quake, ranked seventh in recorded history and the strongest since the 2004 quake that triggered the Asian tsunami, caused widespread fear among residents. It was the most powerful earthquake to strike Chile since the 9.5-magnitude 1960 earthquake.
“The ground was moving like ocean waves,” said Nancy Roa Vidal, an ADRA supporter from Santiago. “[The earthquake] lasted approximately two minutes. We’re in a state of catastrophe.”
Within hours following the quake, ADRA began assessing the needs of survivors in the region in preparation for an initial response worth at least US$105,000. Funders include ADRA International, the South American Regional office, the Adventist Church in Chile, and ADRA Canada.