Silver Spring, Maryland--In the wake of a major earthquake that rocked Chile on Wednesday, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is responding to the needs of survivors with emergency aid items for 250 families in the heavily hit Atacama region.

ADRA's initial response will provide mattresses, linens, tents, food, and water for nearly 1,200 survivors in and around the town of Tocopilla in the Atacama region.

Wednesday's powerful earthquake killed at least two people, injured more than 150, and left an estimated 16,000 homeless. On Thursday, three more earthquakes believed to be aftershocks hit the port city of Antofagasta, creating additional destruction to the already vulnerable population.

Tocopilla, which is located 21 miles from the epicenter, received the brunt of the damage. Local officials report that at least 1,200 homes in the town have been flattened, and more than 4,000 are currently without their homes.

Updates will be released as ADRA's response efforts expand.

To donate to ADRA's emergency response effort to aid survivors of the earthquakes in Chile, please contact ADRA at 1.800.424.ADRA (2372) or donate online to ADRA's Emergency Response fund at www.adra.org.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

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Author: Nadia McGill

Media Contact: Kara Watkins ADRA International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301.680.6357 E-mail: Media.Inquiries@adra.org