Massive Earthquake Hits Chile

A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile at 03:34 local time on Saturday. The extent of the damage has been hard to determine and information has only recently started coming through. Please join us in prayer for the people of Chile.

NGOs and charities have been assessing the damage and have begun responding by distributing blankets, water containers and re-establishing communication lines. The authorities have announced the setting up of a special air route to deliver aid from the capital, Santiago, to Concepcion, 430km (270 miles) away.

However, many vital supplies are still not reaching those in need, such as water purification tablets, cooking items and hygiene kits. In Satiago a significant problem has been huge queues at petrol stations as rumours of fuel shortages spread, and supermarkets closed. Needs in the south of the capital are far more acute, with families still lacking basic supplies like food and water, plastic sheeting, candles and sleeping bags. Often survivors requiring medical attention are unreachable by medical teams. 723 people have already been found dead.

Sammy Lago, reporting to the Church Mission Society from Santiago says, “The news we're now getting is quite disturbing: riots, looting, people trapped under buildings and even hundreds of people having escaped a few of the local prisons. On the coast some towns have been hit by tsunamis (though things are calmer now on that front).” Officials are concerned about the levels of looting and though curfews have been implemented, the army are still struggling to keep control. A department store was set on fire and conditions are said to be chaotic.

Sammy Lago continues “Thankfully, the news from the Concepción church seems to be ok. We've heard news of many of the church families staying together and sharing food and lodgings, as things are much more difficult there.”

Aid workers are reporting that many houses have collapsed completely or are unsafe to inhabit. The new school term, due to start this week, has been postponed due to damage to school buildings. Children are particularly badly hit in these disasters, often needing psychological support. “We are extremely concerned about the emotional impact of so many aftershocks on children,” said Tatiana Benavides, World Vision's national director in Chile.

Please pray for the situation in Chile. Pray for those currently unable to supply their basic needs such as food and shelter. Pray they will know God as their provider and helper at this time.

Pray for the aid organisations trying to help those affected. Pray they will be able to reach those who are most in need and God would multiply their work. Pray that the government and local services will be able to respond quickly and appropriately.

Pray for those with loved ones in affected areas, that they would know God’s peace and comfort, particularly those bereaved and waiting for news.

Pray for stability and calm in the cities and that panic would be replaced by peace.

Pray for the chuch in Chile as they respond. Praise God for their coming together as described by CMS, and pray that they would be empowered to serve those in need.

Imformation and pictures gathered from websites of World Vision http://www.worldvision.org.uk/, Christian Aid http://www.christianaid.org.uk/, Tearfund http://www.tearfund.org/ and Church Mission Society http://www.cms-uk.org/.

Esther Barlow, 02/03/2010