United States Meeting Chilean Earthquake Aid Requests
Washington - Chile has identified specific assistance it needs as it begins assessing the full extent of the February 27 earthquake damage, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the United States is responding to its aid request and stands ready to offer additional assistance.
In remarks with Chilean president Michelle Bachelet ( http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2010/March/20100302152644xjsnommis2.334231e-02.html ) March 2 in Santiago, Clinton said the United States can provide "not only solidarity, but specific supplies that are needed to help you recover from the earthquake."
The Chilean government has requested international assistance in the form of mobile bridges, field camps and hospitals, satellite phones, electric generators, saltwater-purification systems, autonomous dialysis systems, field kitchens and restaurants. Bachelet said money donations would help with the purchase of food and medication.
"Our objective is that cooperation will exactly meet and respond to ... our most urgent needs," Bachelet said.
She said at least 2 million people have been displaced, and an estimated 500,000 homes have been damaged, with an initial damage-cost assessment of $30 billion. She added that her government is sending experts, such as engineers and architects, to the affected areas to evaluate the damage and help set priorities.
Clinton, who had planned to visit Chile before the disaster, delivered 25 of 62 satellite phones ( http://www.america.gov/st/develop-english/2010/March/20100301150523esnamfuak0.1927149.html ) the United States is providing the country. She added that the Obama administration is sending eight water-purification units.
"We have identified a mobile field hospital unit with surgical capabilities that is ready to go. We are working to fill the need for autonomous dialysis machines. We are ready to purchase and send electricity generators, medical supplies, and are working to identify and send portable bridges so that some of the places that are remote that lost their bridges will be able to be reconnected to the country," Clinton said.
The United States will help in "any way that the government of Chile asks us to," she said.
"We are so grateful for what Chile did in Haiti. Your rescue teams were among the very best in the entire world. And we want to help Chile, who has done so much to help others," she said.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has sent a regional field adviser, a senior communications specialist and a field officer to Chile. The team is bringing 18 satellite telephones and communications training, according to a March 1 USAID fact sheet ( http://www.usaid.gov/helpchile/ ).
USAID has also provided an initial $50,000 to fund the purchase and transport of emergency relief commodities to the country through the U.S. Embassy in Santiago. The fact sheet said further assistance is planned once the Chilean government and humanitarian groups conduct a needs assessment for the disaster zones.
U.S. search-and-rescue teams are on standby in case they need to be deployed to affected areas.
