Salvation Army Expands Emergency Relief Response in Chile (Update 2 March 2010)

THE Salvation Army is expanding its emergency relief response in Concepcion to those who have suffered as a result of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that devastated much of Chile during the early hours of Saturday morning (27 February). Government approval has been given for The Salvation Army to use an emergency service mobile canteen, currently in Santiago, for the provision of relief in Concepcion–one of the most damaged cities.

Three vehicles carrying provisions and Salvation Army emergency relief personnel arrived recently in Concepcion from Valdivia. They will soon be joined by other Salvation Army relief teams travelling from Puerto Montt and Osorno.

Tents housing 60 displaced families have been set up at Hualpencillo Corps (Salvation Army church) near Concepcion. The corps officers (ministers) in Concepcion, who are organising emergency relief to the community, are also sleeping in a tent because of severe damage incurred by Salvation Army property as a result of earthquake aftershocks.

Emergency relief is also being provided by The Salvation Army in Santiago and Os Valparaiso.

The Salvation Army South America West Territorial Secretary for Business Administration Lieut-Colonel Maria Alarcon reports: 'In various locations electricity, water and gas services have been cut off. Telephone communication is slowly being re-established. The lack of communication has made it very difficult to obtain information about some Salvation Army centres. However, we have been able to establish some communication through Skype for limited amounts of time.'

The colonel says that as well as the damage to Salvation Army property in Concepcion, corps properties at Angol, Quinta Normal and Lo Vial have been affected, as has the El Faro Men's Residence.

All Salvation Army officers in the central Chile area are accounted for and The Salvation Army divisional commander for south Chile confirms that all Salvation Army personnel in his area are safe.

However, more than 700 people have died in this disaster and around two million have been affected by the tragedy. Lieut-Colonel Alarcon describes the effects of the earthquake as 'unimaginable'. She says the airport in Santiago has been seriously damaged and flights have been suspended. 'Also many of the hospitals suffered considerable structural damage and as a result have been evacuated.'

When the disaster struck on Saturday 27 February Salvation Army emergency services were immediately mobilised to provide support and comfort.

The earthquake epicentre was approximately 90 miles (150 kilometres) north west of the city of Concepción in southern Chile which is approximately 350 miles (600 kilometres) from the capital of Santiago. 'Nevertheless, the quake was of a 7.0 magnitude in the Santiago metropolitan region,' says the Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army South America West Territory, Lieut-Colonel F. Bradford Bailey.

The area most affected by the earthquake was between the cities Os Temuco and Chillan, with Concepcion hardest hit.

The emergency services coordinator for The Salvation Army International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, Lieut-Colonel Mike Caffull, reports that IHQ has already agreed to provide financial assistance for the Chilean Salvationists' relief response. He says the IHQ emergency services team will be involved in coordination of whatever practical assistance is required by The Salvation Army in Chile regarding relief efforts.

Please pray for the people of Chile.