Int'l community provides aid to quake-hit Chile

SANTIAGO, March 3 (Xinhua) -- International aid has been pouring into Chile that was hit hard in a 8.8-magnitude earthquake, which to the moment has killed 799 people and caused massive damage and property loses in the South American country.

The Chilean government has basically requested temporary hospitals, medical equipments, communication equipments, power generators, water purification machines and tents. It is also evaluating the possibility of requesting financing from international organizations.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said on Tuesday that her country was "in good conditions" to face the crisis, but she did not rule out the possibility of requesting international financial aid, which was denied previously by the government.

Now a research is underway to determine the amount of money needed for the reconstruction in Chile. Bachelet discussed this issue with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who made a short visit to Chile on Tuesday to deliver aid and express her country's support.

The fund Chile may need could be contributed by the World Bank and the International Development Bank.

Meanwhile, Chilean Foreign Minister Mariano Fernandez said in a report that many countries have sent aid to Chile.

According to the report, China has decided to provide emergency humanitarian aid of 1 million U.S. dollars and sent one temporary hospital, four water purification machines and tents.

South Korea announced the dispatch of a plane with medical equipments and non-perishable food.

Japan donated 3 million dollars and it would also send a medical team specialized on earthquakes and emergency materials. Indonesia donated 1 million dollars.

Bolivia sent a plane with 40 tons of drinking water and it has announced to supply more water to make a total of 120 tons.

Cuba sent one temporary hospital with surgery capacity and 25 doctors.

Argentina sent three temporary hospitals and medical staff. Peru donated one temporary hospital of high quality and sent 25 doctors.

Uruguay sent two water purification machines and Brazil sent a team of experts on people rescue.

The Organization of American States sent 20 satellite telephones.

Australia donated 1 million dollars, temporary hospitals and generators and Canada provided 150 tents with capacity for 10 people each.

The European Union announced it would donate 3 million euros (some 4.2 million dollars).

Spain sent a plane with rescue teams, including experts and trained dogs. It also sent experts of seismic damages evaluation.

France announced it would send a team of 15 experts to evaluate seismic damages in Chile, as well as equipments of satellite communication. Switzerland also sent a team of seismic damage evaluation.

The United States donated 60 satellite telephones and announced the dispatch of power generators, communication equipments and tents.

Russia sent 100 tents, 10 portable power generators, 2,000 blankets and 7 tons of food.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean cooperates with the organizations of the United Nations for the international aid, and also collaborates with the Chilean government to buy medical equipment.

Fernandez said that the report was not completed, because the aid are continuing to arrive in Chile.

He thanked the international cooperation for providing aid to the Chilean government and people to face the impacts of the earthquake and begin the reconstruction of the country.