Earthquake in Chile
Background:
On February 27 an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck at 1:34 am EST 200 miles southwest of Santiago and 73 miles northeast of Concepcion (Chile’s second largest city; population 650,000) at a depth of twenty-two miles. Three million people were exposed to severe shaking with another 12 million exposed to moderate to very strong shaking, as aftershocks up to 6.9-magnitude continue to hit Chile.
Travel Advisory:
The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid tourism and non-essential travel to Chile. The February 27 earthquake caused significant damage to the areas closest to the epicenter, including the cities of Concepcion, Talcahuano and Temuco. Santiago, Viña del Mar and Valparaiso were also affected by power outages and limited telecommunications. The Santiago International Airport has been closed to all but military operations.
Travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
U.S. Citizens in Chile:
The United States Embassy is working to ascertain the whereabouts of Americans through the warden network, along with contacting our local Embassy staff. No Embassy casualties have been reported at this time, and all American officials have been accounted for.
The Department of State is asking that American Citizens ascertain the well being of friends and family as soon as possible. In areas that may be cut off from telephones or internet Americans are encouraged to use different social media including SMS (text message), Twitter and Facebook.
American citizens in the United States seeking information on whereabouts of U.S. citizens in Chile may call the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747. American citizens in Chile may call 56-2-330-3476.
Dialing instructions from the U.S. to Chile are listed below:
From To
U.S. Chile landline 011-56-city code-six or seven digit number
U.S. Chile cell phone 011-56-9- eight digit number
For the latest U.S. State Department information see: http://www.state.gov/headlines/137379.htm
To use the Chile Earthquake Person Finder function directly, see: http://chilepersonfinder.appspot.com/
How You Can Help:
For those eager to donate, volunteer and provide assistance for the earthquake victims in Chile, please contact the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) http://www.cidi.org/incident/chile-10b/.
For further aid information The State Department has also established this website:http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ci/earthquake/index.htm
There are also numerous non-profit and private organizations that are taking donations at this time. Unfortunately, disasters such as this also bring out individuals who seek to exploit the goodwill of Americans. Please be aware of scams and fraudulent solicitations. The Better Business Bureau maintains a website database that allows you to check on the legitimacy of a charity or organization, and it is recommended that you check out any organization before committing your personal information and a donation.
USG Assistance
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited President Bachelet and President-elect Pinera on March 2 to discuss aid and response to Chile's needs.
In response to Chile’s request, 60 satellite phones – 40 on loan from DOD and USAID, and 20 donated by DOD – are inbound to Santiago.
Embassy Santiago is coordinating with the Chilean government and Washington agencies on Chile’s request for medical assistance, water purification units, and plastic sheeting. USAID is committed to providing at least two 100,000 liter per day purification units and the sheeting when logistical issues are resolved.
Mobile hospital units and medical supplies will also being arriving in 4-5 days. Including autonomous dialysis machines, electrical generators' plastic sheeting, portable bridges, portable kitchens and helicopters.
Earthquake in Haiti
"As a Senator from a state that has too often experienced the devastation of earthquakes, I want to express my deepest condolences to the people of Haiti who have suffered such extraordinary loss and destruction. The images of collapsed schools, hospitals, government buildings and homes from yesterday’s earthquake are both stunning and heartbreaking. The people of Haiti are in our thoughts and prayers, as are the tens of thousands of American citizens who live and work there." Read Senator Boxer's Full Statement
Constituent Earthquake Preparedness Guide
Background:
On January 12 at approximately 5:30 p.m., an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck near Port Au Prince, followed by multiple aftershocks. There are reports of extensive damage, and communications remain extremely difficult. Additional aftershocks remain a possibility. The U.S. Embassy is working to determine the extent of the damage and check on the status of U.S. citizens around the island.
U.S. Citizens in Haiti:
The U.S. Embassy in Port Au Prince has set up a task force at the Embassy, which is taking calls as conditions permit. The Embassy is working to identify U.S. citizens in Haiti who need urgent assistance and to identify sources of emergency help. U.S. citizens are urged to contact the Embassy via e-mail to request assistance. U.S. citizens in Haiti can call the Embassy’s Consular Task Force at 509-2229-8942, 509-2229-8089, 509-2229-8322, or 509-2229-8672. The State Department has also created a task force to monitor the emergency.
People in the U.S. or Canada with information or inquiries about U.S. citizens in Haiti may reach the Haiti Task Force at 888-407-4747 or at Haiti-Earthquake@state.gov. Outside of the U.S. and Canada, call 202-501-4444. For further information and updates, please see the State Department’s Consular Affairs website. Note: We understand that the 888 call center number is being inundated with calls and it has been difficult to get through. The Department is actively working to address this problem.
If you are having difficulties reaching these agencies, you can also contact Senator Boxer's San Francisco Office for assistance.
Haitian Citizens in the U.S.:
Haitian citizens in the U.S. should call the Haitian Embassy in Washington, D.C., 202-332-4090, or the Haitian Consulate in New York City, 305-859-2003.
Adoptions Information:
U.S. citizens with pending adoption cases in Haiti are requested to contact the Department of State at AskCI@state.gov for information about their adoption case. In your inquiry, please include: full name and contact information of parents, full name(s) of child(ren), date(s) of birth of child(ren) [if known], and the name and contact information of orphanage. You can find additional information about adoptions in Haiti at http://adoption.state.gov/news/Haiti.html.
How You Can Help:
Anyone wishing to donate, volunteer, or provide assistance in Haiti following the devastating earthquake, is asked to contact the Center for International Disaster Information. The Center, operated under a grant from the United States Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and initial support from IBM, has become a valuable resource to the public, as well as US government agencies, foreign embassies and international corporations. CIDI has established a dedicated page to coordinate Haiti support at: http://www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a
The State Department has also established the following website: http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ha/earthquake/index.htm
There are also numerous non-profit and private organizations that are taking donations at this time. Unfortunately, disasters such this also bring out individuals who seek to exploit the goodwill of Americans. Please be aware of scams and fraudulent solicitations. The Better Business Bureau maintains a website database that allows you to check on the legitimacy of a charity or organization, and it is recommended that you check out any organization before committing your personal information and a donation.