CHILE RELIEF PROJECT

On February 27, an 8.8 earthquake (the 5^th largest in recorded world history) hit off the coast of Chile destroying structures and creating tsunamis that swept away entire villages. Second and third quakes measuring 6.7 and 6.0 hit only minutes later. Over the next month and even now aftershocks continue to rattle lives and threaten buildings. The death toll is just under 800, yet nearly 80% of the countries population has been affected, and hundreds of thousands remain homeless as the Southern Hemisphere’s winter approaches.

Chile’s central regions were hardest hit, including Claudia’s hometown of Rancagua. We have been in contact with the leadership (Pastor Juan, Pastor Roberto and others) of Renuevo, our church in Rancagua, monitoring their progress and considering ways to assist them as they seek to assist those in the surrounding communities and rural areas that have yet to receive aid.

As the weather gets colder and rain arrives the most urgent needs are:

• Prefabricated Emergency Homes: In the 6^th region alone there is an urgent need for 20,000 emergency homes which allows a homeless family to remain near work, property and their support systems as opposed abandoning all they have to seek winter shelter. Each of these insulated, heated, emergency homes has a cost of $1000.00. Renuevo hopes to purchase a minimum of 10 for immediate delivery and construction.
• Emergency Food: With the destruction of homes and businesses, thousands have lost the means to support themselves. Renuevo is distributing boxes of non-perishable food costing $5.00 per box. They hope to provide between 100 to 200 units immediately and then assess further need in the outlying areas.
• Blankets: Basic, cheap ($5.00 each) and easy means to provide immediate warmth and comfort from the cold. They hope to distribute 200 immediately and then assess further need.

Latin America Mission is partnering with Renuevo in order to meet these immediate needs. Over the years many of friends and supporters have traveled to Chile in order to work alongside Renuevo or receive from their amazing hospitality. Please consider assisting this church in caring for the immediate needs around them and communicating Christ’s love in both word and deed.

If you would like more information on this project don’t hesitate to contact us at Latin America Mission (1800-275-8410) or via e-mail.

To make an online donation toward the Chile relief project please visit the LAM donations page, enter the amount you desire to give in the “LAM General Fund” section and indicate “Chile Relief Project” in the notes section. Your donation will be credited to the proper account and you will receive a tax deductible receipt.

If you prefer to mail in a donation please make checks payable to “Latin America Mission” and indicate “Chile Relief Project” on a separate piece of paper (not in the memo section) in order to have it properly credited. Mail your donation to:

Latin America Mission - Chile Relief

PO Box 52-7900

Miami, Fl 33152-7900

You will receive a tax deductible receipt.