The 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Concepcion, Chile early on the morning of February 27, was the strongest earthquake recorded in modern history. Seismologists have indicated the quake was 500 times stronger than the 7.0 quake that hit Haiti on January 12.

However, the Chilean government, owing to the fact that Chile is located on a dangerous fault that runs through the Andes Mountain in South America, has deliberately set building codes and have had emergency plans in place in case of such disasters. As a result, in a quake that could have killed thousands, the death toll, estimated to be 750, compared to the estimated 300,000 killed in Haiti is low. But this is expected to rise as search and rescue continues.

Unlike the earthquake in Haiti, which accounted for most of the deaths, several are dead in Chile as a result of the massive tsunami that followed the earthquake.  The tsunami created massive waves that destroyed entire villages.

The United Nations and Member States are assisting Chile in assessing the damage and providing assistance to the government and people.

Authorities in Chile have issued a request for supplies, including mobile bridges, satellite telephones, electric generators, water purification systems and dialysis centers.

For its part, the UN is sending dozens of satellite telephones to Chile from New York and Geneva, and The UN World Food Program (WFP) has offered 30 tons of food support, which is ready to be transported to Chile from nearby Ecuador.

Countries such as Argentina are sending in urgently-needed field hospitals, with the Chilean Air Force having already setting up four field hospitals, each holding up to 60 patients.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the quake severely disrupted health services and has dispatched a disaster management expert to the South American nation to assist in the aftermath of the catastrophe.

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/WHO noted that there is a shortage of healthcare personnel, but that everyone in need of medical assistance is receiving it at this time.

Despite earthquake sensitive building codes, Chilean residential infrastructure has been severely impacted, with some 500,000 homes, mostly adobe structures, seriously damaged.

The Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, said that her agency is prepared to assist Chile recover from the massive quake. She said, “The earthquake that struck Chile is another distressing example of our vulnerability to natural disasters and the need for greater vigilance and preparedness.”

She acknowledged the rapid actions taken by authorities across the Pacific region to the potential for tsunamis in the wake of the quake. The Pacific Tsunami Warning System, set up by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in the 1960s after a similar earthquake off the Chilean coast, began issuing regular warnings moments after Saturday’s tremor.

The World Bank has also offered support to Chile. “Our thoughts are with the people of Chile at this difficult time,” said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick.

U.S. President Barack Obama said the United States will “stand with our Chilean friends”. The president assured Chile that the U.S. is closely watching developments and is prepared to help in whatever way it can.

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Taking the U.S. and his supporters by surprise, Afghanistan opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah announced over the past weekend that he would be pulling out of the run-off presidential elections against sitting Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai, leaving him to claim another term in office.

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Just two weeks ago, the WHO’s Swine Flu death toll stood at 429.

However, the UN agency said it was incumbent upon national health authorities determine which measures to impose to slow the spread of the virus. School closures could become a necessary way to combat the virus, if it becomes a pandemic.

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