The American Red Cross is providing relief supplies and financial support for Red Cross relief operations in Chile following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake on February 27 and is prepared to offer more assistance, if needed.

• The American Red Cross has made a $500,000 commitment to Red Cross relief efforts in Chile following an appeal from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.
• We are also providing 5,000 water-carrying cans and 1,100 hygiene kits.
• The Chilean Red Cross has 1,200 volunteers performing damage and needs assessments and distributing food, hygiene articles, blankets, and other relief items to survivors.
• A five-member regional Red Cross team of disaster specialists, including one from the American Red Cross, is in Chile to provide technical support for Chilean Red Cross response activities and to perform damage assessments, emergency relief and communications support.
• The global Red Cross network plans to support the Chilean Red Cross to provide shelter assistance, relief supplies, basic health care, and water and sanitation for 15,000 families for one year.

Our hearts go out to the people of Chile as they cope with the aftermath of this devastating earthquake and following tsunami and earthquake aftershocks.

• Chilean officials report that more than 2 million people have been affected by the earthquake and that 500,000 homes are damaged.
• Major aftershocks continue, causing further damage to already weakened structures with two occurring on March 5 at magnitude 6.3, and at least seven of magnitude 5 or higher occurring on March 8.
• Electricity, water, and communications are being gradually restored to most of the affected areas, including Concepcion. However, shortfalls exist, especially in rural areas, and authorities are working to restore services.
• Several hospitals in affected areas were severely damaged. To help meet health care needs, the Red Cross will expand its efforts to include mental health support.
• The Red Cross is working on reconnecting families separated by the earthquake and tsunami and has deployed three mobile teams to the worst affected areas to restore contact between separated family members using satellite telephones. People in Chile and abroad can register the names of relatives with whom they wish to restore contact directly on the ICRC family links web site at www.icrc.org/familylinks
• People can donate in support of the relief effort in Chile by mailing a check to the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis, 441 E. 10th St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-3388, online at www.indyredcross.org/donate or by phone at 317-684-1441. Mobile donors can text "Chile" to 90999 to make a $10 contribution.