Resource Guide: Earthquake Strikes Chile

Updated March 8, 2010 - An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile on February 27. The disaster claimed over 250 lives, left thousands homeless, and wreaked havoc on infrastructure while setting off tsunami warnings in dozens of Pacific countries. The quake comes in the last two weeks of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet's tenure—with President-elect Sebastian Piñera's inauguration is slated for March 11—and on the eve of a scheduled visit by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

How to help:

• Visit ChileAyuda.com for information about ways to support relief efforts.
• Google's disaster relief page includes quick links to donate to organizations as well as ways to share information.
• Text CHILE to 25383 to donate $10 to Habitat for Humanity rebuilding efforts.
• Text "CHILE" to 20222 to donate $10 on behalf of World Vision.
• Text "CHILE" to 52000 to donate $10 on behalf of the Salvation Army.
• Text "SAVE" to 20222 to donate $10 on behalf of Save the Children Federation, Inc.
• Text "CHILE" to 85944 to donate $10 on behalf of International Medical Corp.
• Text "4CHILE" to 50555 to donate $10 on behalf of Convoy of Hope.

Information about the earthquake and tsunami warnings

• U.S. Geological Survey report on the 8.8 magnitude earthquake, including a summary, maps, and tsunami bulletins.
• Website of the Chilean Interior Ministry’s National Emergency Office (Oficina Nacional de Emergencia, or ONEMI) carries information about fatalities, major infrastructure damage, and earthquake intensity.
• The National Weather Service’s Tsunami Center website.
• U.S. State Department updates can be found at www.state.gov/chilequake.
• Statement released by U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile, regarding the earthquake, with additional resources and news and information. 
• Red Cross Chile/Cruz Roja Chilena website.

Domestic and international response

• Government of Chile carries an update, including Chilean President Michelle Bachelet declaring a “state of catastrophe.”
• U.S. President Barack Obama’s statement on the earthquake, saying Washington “stands ready to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts” and commenting on tsunami preparation.
• OAS Secretary-General José Miguel Insulza offered words of solidarity with Chile.

Trying to reach someone in Chile?

• Google’s person finder allows users to track people and share information in English y en español.
• U.S. State Department’s Consular Assistance page, with contact information (email: ChileEarthquake@state.gov; telephone: 1-888-407-7777) for contacting U.S. citizens in Chile.

Real-time updates and social media tools

• The website of La Tercera, latecera.com, offers minute by minute coverage.
• UStream, a social media service that allows viewers to interact through tools such as Twitter, carries live coverage.
• Ushahidi is using croudsourcing tools to share information about Twitter hashtags to follow, blogs covering the latest news, English and Spanish media sources, maps, and more. Access the Google doc that harnesses this information. Also, view Ushahidi's Chile page, with maps and more.
• Updates and images are being shared via multiple Twitter hashtags. Find news via #Chile and #TerremotoChile.

Maps, images, and multimedia coverage

• Boston.com’s “Big Picture” provides large images of the destruction caused by the earthquake. A second issue shows images three days later.
• The New York Times carries maps of Chile with information about where the earthquake struck and damage done.
• The Huffington Post’s live updates and videos.
• Images shared via flickr.
• CNN World interactive map that puts Chile earthquake—the fifth biggest since 1900—in context by comparing it to the ten strongest.
• Mexico's El Universal offers an interactive guide to earthquake, including maps, videos, resources, and facts about Chile.