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ACT Alliance Preliminary Appeal: Support to earthquake affected, Chile

by Elisabeth Gouel | https://twitter.com/actalliance | ACT Alliance - Switzerland
Friday, 11 April 2014 15:58 GMT

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Preliminary Appeal

Chile

Support to earthquake affected - CHL141

Preliminary Appeal Target: US$ 299,215

Balance Requested: US$ 299,215


Geneva, 11 April 2014

On 1 April 2014 an earthquake of 8.2 magnitude struck the northern region of Chile, triggering a tsunami alert and killing at least six people.   972,457 people were evacuated to higher ground. The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at 20:46 local time, 23:46 GMT, about 86km north-west of the mining area of Iquique, with a focal depth of 38.9 km. More than 700 strong aftershocks, including one of 7.6 magnitude followed the earthquake, creating emotional instability in the population.

The most affected regions are Arica, Tarapaca, Parinacota and Antofagasta, the northern and desert areas of Chile, rich in minerals, especially copper.

A number of adobe homes were reported destroyed in Arica and Iquique and the tsunami in this area, with waves up to 3 meters, affected most of the small fishing vessels.  Drinkable water supplies remain a challenge, only 40% of the services are working normally and 2,000 wells out of 9,000, have been totally destroyed. Most of the population is showing stress and traumatic symptoms.  

The Chile forum is proposing to provide support to 1,500 of the most affected families in Tarapaca and Arica with psychosocial support for 1,000 families; shelter materials for 500 families and non-food items for 1,000 families. Emergency response trainings will be provided for the 1,500 families.

For the full appeal and budget, please click here.

 

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