Church World Service continues to support efforts of partners in Chile responding to the devastating Feb. 27 earthquake.  The destruction of infrastructure, including homes, hospitals and bridges is enormous. Two million homes have been damaged, and 500,000 destroyed.

The CWS-supported response includes providing 1,500 families in Concepcion, Talca and Curico with food, non-food items, temporary shelter and training in water, sanitation and hygiene matters.  Assistance will also include cash-for-work projects, small income generating activities, repair and rebuilding of houses, capacity building, advocacy, training in risk management and psychosocial assistance.  The initial emergency phase of the response is expected to last six weeks; the rehabilitation phase up to one year.

CWS also provided a cash grant to the Methodist Church of Chile, and is also supporting efforts by the Fundacion de Ayuda Social de las Iglesias Cristianas (FASIC). 

FASIC and other ACT Alliance members have established the Inter-Church Emergency Committee Chile 2010, to provide pastoral care and other support to people affected by the earthquake.

A rehabilitation phase of between two months to a year may involve cash-for-work, small economic initiatives, house repair and rebuilding, capacity building, advocacy, training in risk management and psychosocial assistance.

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Photo: Juan Salazar