How to Help Chile's Earthquake Victims

Feb. 28, 2010— -- A massive earthquake struck off the coast of Chile on Saturday, causing at least 700 deaths in the coastal South American nation and prompting a tsunami warning for 53 countries along the Pacific Rim.

Click HERE to read a full report of the disaster.

At least 500,000 homes are believed to have been damaged or destroyed, and millions of people are homeless, even as dozens of strong earthquake aftershocks continued to sweep the country.

Here is a list of organizations that are conducting relief efforts for the earthquake-stricken nation:

U.S. Department of State

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is scheduled to visit Chile on Tuesday.

"The United States stands ready to provide necessary assistance to Chile in the days and weeks ahead and is coordinating closely with senior Chilean officials on the content and timing of such support," she said. "Our embassy in Santiago has established a command center and is working to ensure the safety of any affected American citizens."

There are an estimated 18,000 American citizens living in Chile. To get or give information about American citizens in Chile, call the State Department in Washington, D.C., at 1-888-407-4747.

The department has advised against non-essential or tourist travel to Chile.

Click HERE to get the latest information from the U.S. Embassy in Chile.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has donated $205,000 from its emergency support funds to support the Chilean Red Cross' relief operation.

Teams from the international organization have been deployed to Chile.

To learn more, or to donate to the organization, click HERE.

AmeriCares

AmeriCares also is mobilizing its response teams, along with any medicines, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid that the victims will need.

Click HERE for more information, or to donate to the effort.

Oxfam

Oxfam is sending a five-member emergency response team -- including a water engineer -- to Chile to assess the damage and needs.

The team is expected to arrive in the country Monday.

"The team flying in has years of experience in responding to earthquakes," Frank Boeren, deputy director of Oxfam America's South America office, said Sunday in a statement. "Chile is a developed country with a very capable government and while it is unlikely that this disaster will be as severe as what we saw last month in Haiti, we want to be in place to help if we are needed."

To donate, or for more information on Oxfam's efforts, click HERE.

To call in to charge your donation dial 800-77-OXFAM (800-776-9326), or mail a check, payable to "Oxfam America," to:

Oxfam America226 Causeway Street, 5th FloorBoston, MA 02114

Save the Children

The Westport, Conn.-based organization announced Saturday it had a team en route to Chile.

"Any disaster increases the vulnerability of children. And we know from experience that an earthquake of this enormity -- with widespread destruction of homes, schools, infrastructure ... will put thousands of children at risk," Charles MacCormack, Save the Children's president and CEO, said Saturday in a statement. "It is critical to reach affected children and families now in the early hours and meet their immediate survival needs. At the same time, we must also ensure that children, because they are at greater risk, are protected and nurtured as their country begins the difficult relief and recovery process."

Click HERE to donate to the organization's Children's Emergency Fund.

World Vision

The charity is rushing emergency supplies -- including clean water, blankets and tents -- to children and families affected by the massive quake.

World Vision has more than 100 staffers in Chile, and has worked in that country for three decades. Many World Vision employees live and work in areas close to the quake's epicenter.

Click HERE to donate or to find out more about the organization's efforts.

SOS Children's Villages

SOS Children's Villages provides long-term care of children who can no longer grow up with their biological families.

The organization has 13 facilities in Chile, four of which are in the greater Concepción area -- the region that was hardest hit by the quake. The four facilities are ready to provide immediate temporary care for children who are unaccompanied by adults, are ready to support family reunification and also are ready -- to a smaller extent -- to provide long-term care for children whose parents perished in the quake.

Click HERE to donate or to get more information.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat will mobilize all its available resources to provide shelter for needy families that were affected by the quake.

Habitat for Humanity Chile has provided more than 3,500 families with adequate housing since 1998.

To donate or get more information, click HERE.

Operation USA

Los Angeles-based International relief agency Operation USA said it will send emergency medical aid to Chile.

Click HERE to donate online at www.opusa.org.

You may also donate by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, sent to 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.

Text the word "REBUILD" to 50555 to donate $10 to Operation USA's disaster relief efforts in Chile.

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