Earthquake Update

Save the Children reports on progress in Chile and Haiti.

Hard on the heels of the recent crisis in Haiti, the South American country of Chile was struck by one of the biggest earthquakes on record—an 8.8 magnitude.

I had written a story about the efforts of Save the Children to help people in Haiti. I wanted to know what the non-profit organization was doing in Chile, so I called my source, Kathy Connolly, Senior Director for Resource Development.

Ms. Connolly informed me that a rescue team arrived quickly in the nation’s capital city of Santiago.

"The first three members of our team deployed to Chile on March 2 and more are on the way,” she said. “They are working with the Chilean Government to assess the damage done by this major earthquake."

I asked Ms. Connolly how she would compare the two catastrophes.

"A major difference between the Haitian and the Chilean crises is in the ability of the respective host governments to manage the aftermath,” she explained. “Chile has long been at high risk for earthquakes, given its geographic location, and the government has a strong, capable civil defense in place to provide support. The country's infrastructure—the quality of its building construction, for example—is more advanced than Haiti's as well."

The organization also plans to help kids living in Chile. "Save the Children will provide psychological and social support, hygiene kits, and many other services such as child protection support and educational programs," she said.

Meanwhile, the government in Haiti is still struggling to recover from it 7.0 earthquake, which did much more damage to that poverty-stricken country than the 8.8 quake did in Chile.

"Haiti will be a long-term project,” Ms. Connolly said. “We'll be there for quite a while. Approximately 1.2 million people still need shelter, so that is an urgent priority."

Save The Children has a six-month plan and a proposal called "Build Back Better” to help support the longer term needs of the children of Haiti. In addition to food and shelter, Ms. Connolly says that education will be an important issue for the future. For more information, or to donate, visit savethechildren.org.

— Nick Berray

PHOTO: Food aid is distributed in Constitucion, Chile, some 300 km south of Santiago. (Photo Credit:MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images/NewsCom)

Comments

[Cindy]

I really enjoyed reading this information. It has been very helpful. I am one of the sponsors for our Kiwanis K-kids service club. We raised $800 and wanted to get it to the children of Haiti for schools but we didn't know how to get it to them. Now that we know about Save the Children, it seems like the perfect place for our money to go. THanks for doing such a great job.

[Sarah]

I really enjoyed this story because it is helpful information on the update on Haiti and who cares about the people living there. And I also think that other schools should host a funraiser to help out the people of Haiti. Also people and kids should get on the streets and ask the people to donate money to Haiti or Chile so they can have enough money to donate food or clothing.

[luis]

I think this is sad that the children in haiti had to go through the whole earthquake. also I think it was nice for the people to donate a lot of money.

[Jermarie]

I like this story because I think people should host a fundraiser for Haiti or Chile so they can eat and learn in school.

[Michael]

I really enjoyed this story. Me and my school raised over $400 for Haiti. I hope it's enough for Haiti. Were still doing pennys for patients as we speak. We'll keep on doing pennys for patients. Thanks for litstening.

[choe]

Chile's children needed help then Haiti children needed help. and the children's school's buildings. so the people can have money and food and water and toys to play with them.

[Lexi]

When I first heard about the Haiti earthquake incident it brought tears to my eyes.

[jennea bell]

We need to help Haiti because they have no food ,water and help them building there houses.