Silver Spring, Maryland--In the wake of a major earthquake that rocked northern Chile on Wednesday, November 14, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is responding to the needs of survivors with emergency aid items for earthquake survivors in the heavily hit Atacama region.

ADRA is distributing six-person tents and mattresses, along with 140 blankets, to 70 of the most vulnerable families in and around the town of Tocopilla in the Atacama region. In addition, ADRA is providing supplemental food baskets containing rice, oil, flour, salt, and sugar for 600 families (approximately 2,500 individuals). At least 150 bales of clothing will provide approximately 3,000 people with clothes.

According to official reports, last Wednesday's powerful earthquake killed at least two people, injured more than 250, destroyed 4,000 homes, 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, a coastal town 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. The cost of bread has more than doubled due the earthquake emergency, as has the cost of drinking water.

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