Several organizations have mobilized to send disaster relief teams and supplies to Chile after Saturday’s 8.8-magnitude earthquake. If you want to donate, here are some organizations to consider: OXFAM; AmeriCares; World Vision; British Red Cross; Habitat for Humanity; Save The Children.
Unlike Haiti, there isn’t as much need for volunteer assistance in Chile. This is because Chile is infinitely better prepared to deal with natural disasters. Chile is one of the wealthiest, most developed countries in the region, with a long history of handling seismic catastrophes through robust emergency services. Thus, there isn’t as much need for international disaster relief organizations. If there are any volunteer opportunities with an international disaster relief organization these will be limited to people with technical skills in health or engineering, or people with prior disaster experience.
Comparte Fair Trade (www.comparte.cl) are in immediate need of an intern to travel and document the conditions of artisans that were affected by the 27 February earthquake. The work of the post-earthquake correspondent will include taking photos and videos. Advanced Spanish language skills are essential. While this is an unpaid internship, the cost of public transportation and budget accommodation will be covered by the project.
Heart to Heart (www.hearttoheart.org) has initiated on-ground assessment and logistical preparation for deployment of medical personnel, providing volunteers with the opportunity for first hand involvement in recovery efforts. Heart to Heart is seeking medical professionals (licensed physicians and nurses, etc) willing to be first responders to the crisis in Chile.
The Salvation Army’s (http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/volunteer/) emergency response teams are currently assessing needs in the affected areas of Southern Chile. Once needs are identified, The Salvation Army may assemble volunteer teams to deploy from the United States if needed. Individuals with specialty expertise like medical training or disaster response, and the ability to travel to deployment locations are encouraged to sign-up on The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services volunteer waiting list.
Center for International Disaster Information (www.cidi.org) provides information and guidance in support of appropriate international disaster relief. Both medical and non-medical workers can register to volunteer their services with CIDI. Relief agencies browse through the listings to find volunteers who match their needs. Individuals, groups, corporations, NGOs, embassies, media and others from around the world have come to rely upon CIDI’s resources and services in order to provide more effective international emergency assistance.
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network (www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/volunteer/default.html) is a nonprofit that mobilizes resources for animal victims through its network of trained responders in the U.S. and Canada. They work in agreement with government agencies or NGOs to deploy trained and credentialed animal responders for assessment, search and rescue, and emergency sheltering aid. They also report disaster news, to inform the public about ways they can support animal relief efforts. For more information and to sign up to volunteer please visit their website.
International Medical Corps (www.imcworldwide.org) has a doctor on the ground in Chile, coordinating with ONEMI (the National Office of Emergencies and Information) and assessing needs at local hospitals and clinics, following the devastating 8.8-magnitude earthquake. International Medical Corps is also gathering emergency medicines and supplies and has Emergency Response Teams of volunteer doctors and nurses on standby, ready to deploy as needed. International Medical Corps might be looking for highly trained medical staff in the future.
Although there are limited opportunities with international disaster relief organizations there will be other ways of getting involved in relief efforts. There might be opportunities to join a grassroots organization or help out in the area you visit (i.e. aid distribution, helping the homeless, construction projects, etc). You just need to ask around and keep your eye on notice boards in language schools, hostels, community centres, local shops and businesses.
I am a British national, from Frodsham in Cheshire, staying in Santiago’s Bella Vista district. We were here when the earthquake struck. I am on a world tour with my friend and when we saw the devastation our first though was that we wanted to do something to help. It is a goal of mine in life to be able to have a job that directly helps people in crisis or that are less fortunate than myself. I am 24 and my friend Mark Bazley is 22 and we are both fit and healthy. We were going to go to Conception on our own but have been advised against it, as it is better to help as part of an organised group with experience such as yourselves. If we can be of any assistance at all to the effort then please let us know. We are willing to do anything we can. Thankyou for your time in reading this message and i await your reply.
Good Luck with your efforts,
Paddy Bleakley
Paddy
It is fully understandable why you and many other concerned people want to help but unless you’re part of a disaster response team/relief assignment you’re going to get in the way right now and possibly cause new problems.
At the moment monetary donations are the most effective and efficient means of providing relief to Chilean earthquake victims.
Take care
Hey I have the same problem as Paddy I would really love to do something to help out, I am in Bolivia at the moment and can be in Chile within two weeks or later if needed?
Even if the response teams dont need us now is there anything we can do for the local people or will there be an opportunity in the coming weeks for something?
Please only engage in direct travel to Chile as part of an established charity or organization who can demonstrate that they have proper logistical and security support.
Many good hearted people want to rush in and ‘do something’ in the event of a natural disaster such as the earthquake that has hit Chile. Although these are very admirable instincts this is often the wrong thing to do.
In the immediate hours and days following a catastrophe aid agencies, governments and international organizations enact pre-arranged disaster plans involving very experienced and specialist staff with full logistical support. Getting together with a group of friends or just jetting to an area like this on your own can create even more problems on the ground for them and it is potentially highly dangerous for you.
Many agencies have already established disaster relief funds and requests for essential supplies. Although there is a desire in most of us to get hands-on and help, the money and goods collected by these funds will provide important support in the longer term as the people of Chile affected by this earthquake slowly rebuild their families, homes and businesses.
So far there has not been a great need for volunteer assistance in Chile. We will continue to monitor the situation to see if more volunteer teams are needed in the future.
Hello!
I am in the same boat as the people above. I have a non-refundable flight to Santiago Tuesday March 9, 2010. I have to go. I am wondering if it is possible to link up with one of the said organizations at the airport.
Will they be recruiting there?
I am young and able-bodied and can do anything you ask me to do. I speak English, French and have a functioning knowledge of Spanish.
I want to help and am confirmed on my flight to Santiago for Tuesday. Please let me know how I can help!
Thank you.
We offer no assistance in connecting volunteers to disaster relief agencies and non-government organizations involved in disaster relief.
You are responsible for finding a suitable organization to work for and making all the arrangements for your stay.
If you are heading to Chile to offer your help there might be opportunities to join a grassroots organization or help out in the area you visit (i.e. aid distribution, helping the homeless, etc). You just need to ask around and keep your eye on notice boards in language schools, hostels, community centres, local shops and businesses.
Surgicorps is a medical non-profit that travels to developing countries to provide medical care. This year, we will have traveled to Bhutan, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Vietnam. A June Colombia mission had to be cancelled, and we would like to know if a team of plastic surgeons and support staff could find a place to work post-earthquake in Chile then.
Dave Fortun
Surgicorps International
We have no say in whether Surgicorps can work in post-earthquake Chile. You should contact the organizations currently working in the field to find out if they need your expertise.