The United Nations, three countries and a mining company are among the latest to pledge or send aid to Chile, which continues to grapple with the impact of the Feb. 27 massive earthquake.
On his two-day visit to Chile, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon promised to disburse USD10 million from the global body’s Central Emergency Response Fund to help the country recover from the disaster. Along with the pledge is an announcement on the creation of a joint working group that would include the U.N. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, U.N. Development Program, U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and Chilean authorities. The group will define the priorities for the pledged U.N. funding, mainly in health, emergency shelters, education, and water and sanitation.
Norway and Australia made separate announcements of post-quake aid for Chile. Norway intends to channel 10 million Norwegian crowns (nearly USD1.7 million) through the Norwegian Red Cross and “other efforts where the Chilean authorities have requested support.” Australia, meanwhile, has committed 4 million Australian dollars (USD3.6 million) in relief and reconstruction funding as well as emergency supplies such as portable generators to bring power and lighting to affected communities.
Through Air China Cargo’s Boeing 747-400, China shipped 90 tons of aid, including 10,000 blankets, 700 tents, 100 generators and two water purification plants, to Chile. The shipment arrived March 5, according to Xinhua.
Likewise, a Canadian mining firm has stepped forward to help the relief efforts in Chile, where its operations employ 1,000 locals. In a press release, Kinross said it is granting 705,000 Canadian dollars (USD684,000) to back housing and social support initiatives and has pledged its staff’s assistance to the affected population.
