Volunteer Global

I've seen some "How do I help after the Chile earthquake" or "How do I help after the tsunamis" posts and requests fly by -- here's what I've got so far.

Earthquake

While the earthquake in Chile was larger than the one in Haiti, it was significantly less destructive. Building codes in Chile are far superior to the ones in Haiti, simply because Chile's a wealthier state with a more established government and infrastructure. Furthermore, the Pacific experiences more earthquakes than the Caribbean, so the people there are better prepared for natural disasters such as this one.

That said, buildings have collapsed, roads have been destroyed, and last count I saw, 900 individuals have been killed due to earthquakes and tsunamis throughout the Pacific. The earthquake has been devastating, but fortunately not nearly to the extent one would imagine given its force. Power and communication were up again in Santiago the afternoon after the earthquake, though the poorer areas outside of the city are still in the dark. The poorer areas outside of Santiago, and particularly in Concepción, Chillán, Curicó, and Talca, have had issues with looting. The Chilean army has been called in to handle the situation. It seems the biggest problem is access to water, gas, and electricity in those areas.

To view updates on the earthquake and aftershocks, visit the USGS map of the South America region here.

Tsunamis

As for the tsunamis, from what I understand, there was not nearly as much destruction in Asia and Oceania as was anticipated. For tsunami predictions and status, visit the NWS Pacific Region HQ site here.

Volunteers

So, with that in mind, hold your horses. Really. If there is help needed from volunteers, I imagine that as with Haiti, they will need to be trained, experienced individuals who are equipped to deal with this sort of thing.

If you're interested in volunteering in South America, click here. For opportunities in North America, click here. For opportunities in Oceania, click here. And for opportunities in Asia, click here.

And as always, don't hop on a plane and go. If you want to volunteer, check with your preferred group at least six weeks in advance. This is so they can ensure they'll need your help, that you have the time to give, and you both know exactly where you'll be staying and what you'll be doing.