NORTH COAST – In the wake of a devastating 8.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred early last Saturday morning off the shore of Maule, Chile, rescue organizations around the world are mobilizing to offer assistance to that country.

More than 100 aftershocks have reportedly hit the country in the wake of Saturday's earthquake, tsunamis were triggered and more than 700 people are reported dead, with more casualties expected, according to media reports.

Groups like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Operation USA are fundraising to assist the country.

On Monday, US Ambassador to Chile Paul Simons reported that the Chilean government indicated that it was open to receive offers of assistance from the international community.

According to the Mobile Giving Foundation, the following organizations are taking donations for Chile through mobile giving:

• Text the word “CHILE” to 20222 to donate $10 on behalf of World Vision;

• Text the word “CHILE” to 52000 to donate $10 on behalf of the Salvation Army;

• Text the word “SAVE” to 20222 to donate $10 on behalf of Save the Children Federation Inc.;

• Text the word “CHILE” to 85944 to donate $10 on behalf of International Medical Corp.;

• Text the word "4CHILE" to 50555 to donate $10 on behalf of Convoy of Hope;

• Text the word "CHILE" to 50555 to donate $10 on behalf of Friends of the World Program;

• Text the word "REBUILD" to 50555 to donate $10 on behalf of Friends of the Operation USA.

 

The American Red Cross, which made an initial commitment of $50,000 to Chilean relief, is accepting donations at its Web site, www.redcross.org.

Simons reported that the US Embassy activated a consular operations center in an effort locate the 18,000 Americans residing around Chile, and about 1,000 living in the Concepcion area.

He said that, as of Monday, “we do not have any reports of any American citizens who have died or had any serious injuries.”

Simons said the situation in Santiago, Chile's capital, “is returning to normal fairly quickly,” with electricity and water being restored to most of the city.

“But the Concepcion area, the Maule area, were hit very, very, very hard, and the situation there is quite precarious,” he said. “And that really will be the focus of our efforts in the coming days in terms of American citizen work.”

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