Chilean Earthquake Relief

Chile was filled with mass destruction after an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 struck at 3:34 a.m. on Sat Feb. 27. The devastation was felt throughout the country as vehicles rested on highways, turned on their sides like toy cars. Bridges connecting streets collapsed, while homes and businesses were reduced to rubble.

The earthquake was 35 kilometers or 21.7 miles deep, triggering tsunami warnings for countries throughout the Pacific. Research scientists predict that the earthquake shortened Earth’s day by 1.26 microseconds, or 1.26 millionths of a second, due to a shift in the earth’s axis. The initial tremor earthquake occurred off the shore of Maule, a city in Chile, and was followed by a 5.0 aftershock on Sun Feb. 28. These calculation predictions were made by research scientist, Richard Gross.

Jose Saiquehue, a student at Methodist, is from Chile. He could not be contacted after repeated attempts...

“I know if he needed something he would have definitely come by here,” said Kebrina Bolling, the Coordinator for International Programs.

Collections for Chile have not started yet because various groups throughout Methodist’s campus are still collecting needed supplies for the earthquake in Haiti. Members and students of the International Department are making kits with tooth brushes, tooth paste, nail clippers, soap, wash cloths, and hand towels to send to Haiti.

“We will do the same for Chile,” said Bolling. “Our goal is to complete 50 of those kits.”

The International Department did a fund raiser for Haiti, at the last pep rally, and was able to raise 300 dollars in one hour. They teamed up with the Economics Anonymous Club, here at Methodist, and gave the money to the Red Cross, who will use the money for funding needed resources in Haiti.

“It’s horrible that people are suffering right now,” said Marco Morin, a senior global studies major. “I do think that as South Americans, we are more used to the earthquakes, so we are more prepared to receive earthquakes. I know friends from Chile at other universities, and I have talked to their parents and they are okay, but of course, there is some destruction to their infrastructure.”

According to Bolling, once members of the International Department find out what is needed in Chile, they will start making relief kits similar to those made for Haiti.

Other organizations at Methodist are also trying to raise funds to help earthquake victims. Campus Ministries is trying to establish an ongoing fundraising program that can distribute funds when an emergency happens. Campus Ministries is also working alongside the International Department, Economics Anonymous, the Red Cross, and the United Methodist Committee on Relief to send needed supplies to Haiti.

After the earthquake in Haiti, it took Campus Ministries about a week to start raising funds for Haiti. Pickle jars were put throughout campus for these funds. Mike Safley, Vice President for University and Campus Ministry, thinks that it will take about the same amount of time to get relief efforts started for Chile, once Spring Break is over.

“I think it’s horrible,” said Bolling. “Makes you appreciate what you have. One of my favorite sayings is, ‘Just when you think you’ve got it bad it could be worse.’”

Article information courtesy of USGS. For more information go to: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010tfan.php.