Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: One year ago, on 27 February 2010, one of the most powerful earthquakes of the century (magnitude 8.8 on the Richter scale) made Chile tremble and caused the death of more than 800 people. The epicentre, located in the Pacific Ocean close to the coast, caused not only an earthquake but also a tsunami. The areas of Araucania, Bio-Bio, and Maule were particularly badly hit. Two million people were affected; more than 370,000 homes were destroyed or damaged.
[24 February 2011] - Immediately after the earthquake, Terre des hommes was contacted by its long-time partner, the Tierra de Esperanza foundation, which was already working in the most hard-hit areas. This Foundation had immediately launched a campaign to be able to support and deal with the child victims of the catastrophe. Given the analysis of the situation of the children in these areas,Tierra de Esperanza alerted Terre des hommes about the extreme vulnerability of these chil-dren after the quake and requested not only financial support but also the expertise which Terre des hommes had acquired in disaster management. Tierra de Esperanza particularly needed support in the town of Dichato, located 90 kilometres from the epicentre of the quake, in the area of Bio-Bio. There, nearly 80 per cent of the infrastructures had been destroyed so that most of its 6,000 inhabitants had to take refuge in provisional camps. These people were then completely dependent on the assistance such as shelter, food, water sup-plies or even health care that they could receive from other organisations. They were in a state of uncertainty and permanent tension, and the children were the first victims. It was thus imperative to protect these children, to provide them with a safe environment in which they could catch their breath, be listened to and be given answers adapted to their needs. With the support of the Swiss Solidarity de Esperanza and Terre des hommes then arranged eight recreation centres in Dichato which accommodate, reassure and protect hundreds of chil-dren and their families, who are still living in provisional or just reinstalled camps. Theatre or mu-sic workshops, puppet-making and sports activities help these children to express their emotions in a safe setting. Accompanied by their parents and their close relatives, they also receive individ-ual support in coping with the difficulties they encounter. The whole community is then mobilised and prepared so that it can itself protect and take care of its children. Those whose situation re-quires more specific support are referred to specialised organisations, which then take them over (traumatised children, orphans, victims of violence, etc.). One year after the earthquake, many after-shocks are still affecting Chile. David Naville, desk officer for South America in Terre des hommes worried: “It is very difficult for the children to be able to pick themselves up. All these shocks remind us of what happened a year ago and we are afraid that it will happen all over again. In the centres, the children talk to us about their fears and can work them out of their system – a bit at least – thanks to the games and sports activities. They are gradually picking themselves up but work must continue as the ground continues to tremble”. Further Information: