Chile Earthquake
This section gives information and updates about Italian aid to the Chilean population hit by the earthquake. There is also a dedicated section for acts issued by the Italian Government in response to this international emergency.
Date: 27 February 2010
Magnitude: 8.8
Victims: 507
On 27 February 2010 an earthquake measuring 8.8 in magnitude hits the Republic of Chile. Less than one week later, a team sent by the MIC, the monitoring and information centre of the Community Mechanism for Civil protection, arrives in the quake-hit zones to help cooperation of aid from EU countries.
On 19 March, the Italian Government declares state of emergency in Chile. With the Order no. 3871 of 21 April, it is also established that all activity by Administrations and state organisations to support the Chilean population will be coordinated by the Undersecretary of State, official coordinator for prevention activity in Europe and the rest of the world, Guido Bertolaso.
To help the Chilean population, on 15 May, the Italian Government sends a field hospital out to the earthquake zone with the aim of guaranteeing long-term health assistance in the affected area.
On 12 June, after a 30-day journey, the container ship transporting the modular hospital docks in the Chilean port of San Antonio. Bad sea conditions delay unloading until two days later. On 13 June, an advanced team of personnel from the Department of Civil Protection arrives on the site, as well as the AFMAL Association to coordinate unloading, transport, setting up and start up.
The opening of the field hospital is set for 10 July in Talca, in the Maule region. It will operate for the four whole years in which it is necessary for the Chilean government to rebuild the Talca regional hospital, which was seriously compromised by the earthquake.