Earthquake in Chile--UPDATED
Molly Burns
The 8.8 earthquake that hit Chile Saturday, February 27th has caused 711 deaths so far and has left 2 million displaced. Although the effects of the quake will be severe, the fact that the epicenter is farther from populated areas means that the long-term damage from the quake will be far less than the damage caused in Haiti. Even still, other factors such as the continuation of after shocks make the situation in Chile devastating enough that President Michelle Bachelet referred to it as “an emergency unparalleled in the history of Chile.” Some areas affected by the quake are cut off to rescue aid by crumbled roads and collapsed bridges, downed phone lines and cellular towers have made communication difficult, and looters and arsonists have caused instability in some areas of the country. Additionally, some of Chile’s poorest citizens live near the epicenter of the quake, meaning that some of the most severe damage has affected those who are least able to help themselves. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told reporters on Monday while on a tour of Latin America that the government had asked the United States for dozens of satellite phones to help with the problem of poor communication due to damage. In addition to these phones, Clinton said that more American aid would most likely come as the damage is assessed.
- Epicenter: The point where an earthquake originates, and in most cases the area of greatest damage.
- Looters: those who participate in the indiscriminate taking of goods by force as part of a military or political victory, or during a catastrophe such as a natural disaster
- Argument for: American aid would assist those who have lost their homes and belongings in the earthquake
- Argument against: Attention on Chile’s earthquake could take away attention and funds from Haiti, whose death toll and devastation is drastically worse
To donate Text the word “CHILE” to 25383 to donate $10 on behalf of the Habitat for Humanity
Additional reading:
-http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/world/americas/02chile.html?pagewanted=2&hp
-http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8542122.stm
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