Current Events: Aftermath of Chile's 8.8 Earthquake

As the number of deaths rise, a curfew is placed on cities and towns and the damaged buildings in the aftermath of Chile's 8.8 massive earthquake. The devastating earthquake occurred off the shore of Chile on Saturday, February 27, 2010, shaking Chile and causing a tsunami. A tsunami warning was issued for 53 Pacific Rim countries. So far the death count for this natural disaster is over 700 people. Rescue efforts are being hampered by destruction and chaos. Transportation has been slowed because of the destruction of roads, so rescuers are sometimes unable to get to the people who need their help. Fires that have broken out due to the earthquake and have been deliberately set by looters are adding to the natural destruction caused by the enormous earthquake.

Over 10,000 troops have been deployed to control and patrol the city and surrounding area of Conception, Chile. The destruction of tens of thousands of homes left thousands of people camping wherever they can while waiting for help from relief workers. Homelessness is only one of the problems that is causing chaos in central Chile, however. Looting is causing conflict between people in Chile, as well. The search for food, water, and other necessities has caused people to steal these items from local damaged stores. Firefighters were attacked while trying to deliver water. There are major electricity outages in the area of Conception. And people needing medical supplies are breaking into local clinics and looting them. Thirty foot waves enveloped the town of Constitucion when tsunami waves hit the town.

The situation became so bad that Chilean President Michelle Bachelet asked for help from the United Nations on Monday. Bachelet requested that the United Nations members donate temporary bridges, cell phone satellite equipment, kidney dialysis machines, and electric generators, as well as a field hospital and water purification units. About 1,800 Americans live in the area of Chile hit by the quake. Only two Americans were reported as having minor injuries.

President Bachelet will discuss further efforts to aid the distressed country with United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. US Secretary Clinton arrives in Santiago on Tuesday to assess the situation and begin the process of providing the necessary items and help to aid Chile in its recovery efforts. The Chilean government is trying hard to arrange housing for the 1-2 million homeless before the autumn rainy season starts. Chile has limited bus and airline services up and running. People are searching for their relatives themselves if they can get near their loved-ones' homes. At this time, the many homeless people in Chile are camped outdoors because they fear further earthquake tremors and because they are homeless.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/01/AR2010030100251.html?wprss=rss_nation

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/01/AR2010030100251.html

Questions for Discussion

1. What transportation issues are hampering Chile's rescue efforts after the Feb. 27, 2010 earthquake?

2. Troops were recently sent in to help Chileans after the Feb. 27^th earthquake. What, specifically, can troops do to help the people of Chile?

3. How can a curfew help troops keep the people of Chile safe during this crisis?

4. Chilean officials asked the United Nations for 5 specific types of aid. What were they?

5. Why is it important for the Chilean government to find a housing solution for their homeless people right away?