UCC Responds with Chilean partners to powerful earthquake
A devastating magnitude-8.8 earthquake struck Chile on February 27. It also set off a tsunami that threatened every nation around the Pacific Ocean
A devastating magnitude-8.8 earthquake struck Chile early Saturday, February 27, 2010, shattering buildings and bridges, killing at least 700 people and setting off a tsunami that threatened every nation around the Pacific Ocean — roughly a quarter of the globe. United Church of Christ and Global Ministries responded immediately.
Messages of care, concern and support have been sent to Rev. Ulises Muñoz, Obispo Iglesia Pentecostal de Chile; Rosario Castillo, Educación Popular en Salud (EPES); Dora Canales, Comunidad Teológica de Chile, UCC-Global Ministries Partners, and Elena Huegel, Missionary with Global Ministries. All have reported back that they are safe and working to provide immediately available relief supplies.
CWS emergency staff have been in contact with colleagues on the ground in Chile, who report their people are safe. CWS has worked in Chile to provide emergency preparedness training and assistance to the country's sizable population of Colombians, displaced to Chile by conflict. CWS works with two Chilean agencies, FASIC (Fundacion de Ayuda Social de las Iglesia Cristianas) and IMECH, the Methodist Church of Chile.
As part of the international ACT Alliance network, CWS will work to provide emergency assistance such as food, water and shelter to those affected by this disaster. CWS staff continue to be in contact with people in Chile and colleagues in other ACT Alliance agencies to ensure a timely and responsible response.
One Great Hour of Sharing solidarity grants have been sent to three Global Ministries partners in Chile and Church World Service to support immediate response initiatives.
OGHS and -Global Ministries staff are monitoring the unfolding disaster situation and will continue to update this site.
How Can I Help.
1. Pray for the people of Chile their leaders and emergency and emergency response workers.
2. Please help the people of Chile by sending gifts payable to your congregation marked for Chile Earthquake with the request they be sent through your Conference office on to Wider Church Ministries.
OR
Send gifts, made out to United Church of Christ and marked in the memo portion "Chile Earthquake" to Wider Church Ministries; 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.
