Chilean Eartquake

ASASWEI supports the below IASSW statement on the Chilean Earthquake
The International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) sends its heartfelt sympathy to the peoples of Chile, especially those in the Concepcion, Santiago and Talcahuano whose lives, social, political and economic systems and the physical environment that supports their daily lives have been devastated by one of the worst earthquakes in their recent history. 

The damage caused to homes, buildings including those housing emergency services, roads, bridges and other elements of the built-infrastructure will take some time to rebuild.  In the immediate to short-term, people will need shelter, food, water and medical assistance, and for some, psychosocial support and counselling to deal with the grief and loss brought about by the earthquake, the tsunami and their aftermath.  It is important that these needs are met quickly and efficiently by the world community responding to the Chilean people’s requirements.  Newspapers and other media report the effect of the earthquake and ensuing tsunami as far away as Japan and New Zealand and many island nations lying in between.  Their needs are also demanding attention, some which can be provided by their own governments and some which cannot. 
IASSW is willing to assist all those in need by calling upon those in its global network of social work educators, many of whom are qualified social workers, to place their skills at the disposal of those leading the emergency response at the local level.  Additionally, IASSW can support the peoples of Chile in their longer-term objectives through capacity building endeavours including the training of social workers and community development workers who can work with local people to develop their resilience and capacities for their futures and advocate for resource holders to ensure that materials reach people in the affected localities as quickly as possible.
IASSW suggests that those members who wish to donate to the emergency relief funds for the Chilean Earthquake Disaster do so through their local collection agencies.  For those who wish to contribute through an international relief agency, the Red Cross is one that can be easily accessed by all who wish to do so.  This may be done through:
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at: www.ifrc.org  and follow the links for the Chile Disaster.  Please note that fraudsters have been known to make requests for funds during times of disaster, so make sure that you are using the official site.
Alternatively, you can make donations through the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).  It provides urgent medical care, food and water to the victim-survivors and operates through UN agencies like UNICEF, WHO, UNDP, the World Food Programme, UNFPA and IOM.  The website is United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund.