Chile’s Worst Earthquake in 50 Years: 

Solidarity & Support from Pennsylvania

El Hispano/Jim Smith

   Philadelphia–  A magnitude 8.8 earthquake that left a trail of devastation in its wake, tore through the Pacific coast nation of Chile, Saturday, a little after 3:30 a.m., toppling sixteenth century churches,  modern office buildings, and causing the collapse of many  bridges that crushed trucks, cars, and left at least 700 dead and perhaps as many as 1.5 million displaced and homeless.

     A major trading partner with the port of Philadelphia, the  Honorary Consul of Chile for Philadelphia, Benjamin Leavenworth, told El Hispano, “We’ve  been very touched by those  who have reached out  to us, including the members of the diplomatic community.”

   “Mayor Nutter called me Saturday and offered his    condolences and the solidarity of Philadelphia,” said Consul Leavenworth.    “I can’t  thank the Mayor enough for that support, it’s very meaningful to us.”

   The Chilean Consul noted that he had also received messages of support from the local Chilean Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Fernandez of the Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, from the Pennsylvania Secretary of State Pedro Cortes, as well as  the “many friends of Chile” in the Philadelphia region. 

   Serving as Honorary   Consul since 2006, Mr. Leavenworth said that despite logistical “limitations”  the Philadelphia Consulate  office was serving as a conduit and  liaison for information to the Washington-based Ambassador of Chile and to other officials in Chile. 

   Operating in what is effectively an “emergency” situation, the Philadelphia Consulate staff were attempting to “channel  request for help and information,” particularly from the Chilean population of  Pennsylvania, New   Jersey and Delaware- a population  of over 4,000- who want “to get a hold of loved ones.”

   Questioned as to whether the fact that Chile is in the midst of a transition, with President-elect Sebastian Piñera scheduled to take power from the departing    President Bachelet on March 11, would hamper relief efforts, Consul Leavenworth said, “Chile is a country of  very strong institutions, and everything from the rescue personnel, police departments and hospitals will  be unaffected by the transition.”

    Summoning her Cabinet to assess the damage  caused     by the strongest earthquake to hit Chile since a magnitude 9.5 quake hit in May of 1960, President Bachelet characterized the situation as, “an emergency unparalleled in the history of Chile.”

   Although the government of Chile made no  requests for outside assistance, Consul Leavenworth noted that they were “still assessing” the extent of the damage.   Moreover, the   Consul suggested that  some “specific” requests for aid may follow as they  begin to repair the wreckage  to the nation’s “infrastructure.”

     Heeding  complaints from residents  regarding the lack of food and water   in the   city of Concepción, law enforcement officials allowed for some taking of staples from   damaged stores, but        cautioned against the theft of electronic goods.

   While sending additional soldiers to the worst affected areas to maintain order and assist in the distribution of supplies, President Bachelet urged residents not to horde food or gas.

   Rescue crews worked methodically,   as they   dug through the rubble of collapsed buildings in cities from Concepción            to  Santiago, hoping to liberate those trapped below.

    Fears over the stability of  homes and apartment buildings, sent hundreds of thousands into the streets in the days following the earthquake, as nearly fifty aftershocks rumbled across the mountainous country, some measuring between magnitude 5.5 and 6.9.

   For more information on relief efforts to Chile, Contact the Chilean    Consulate of Philadelphia: (215) 829-9520  Email: Economic@chileconsulphila.org