An earthquake shook central and southern Chile on 27 February 
for approximately 3 minutes. Reports indicate that the quake registered at 8.8 Richter at the epicentre 197 miles south of Santiago and 73 miles north of Concepción.
The earthquake was far reaching and its strength in Santiago was 8.0. There is a large death toll, including lives lost in Santiago, large scale destruction of properties in Concepción as well as damage in Santiago.
Reports from the BBC 4 March state: Officials have said 802 people are confirmed to have died, of whom 279 have been identified. But there are reports of many people still missing in the coastal town of Constitucion.
About two million Chileans are believed to have been affected by Saturday's 8.8 magnitude earthquake, the seventh most powerful on n has been down for those in the southern areas of the country.
About 1.5 million homes in Chile have been damaged.
Most of the collapsed buildings were of older design—including many historic structures.
David and Michelle Fauchon, SIMers from Australia shared their experience:
The most pressing needs at this point are for the rescue efforts of any survivors and the restoration of essential services, such as water, electricity and communications. Even in our small community in Peñalolén we have been without electricity for three days and 70% of our neighbourhood is without running water. Over the last two days many of our neighbours have had to line up for water in order to cook, wash and clean and for sanitary purposes.
We are very thankful to God that we still have water and gas at the moment as it just takes the stress out of day to day life.
Further down the track will be the bigger projects of restoring infrastructure such as rebuilding highways, bridges, and access to the international airport which remains closed to date.
June 2011 - Update
The last six months has seen the completion of construction of the four houses in the small community of Chispa which is located inland or east of the epicentre of Concepcion.Detailed information regarding this phase of the project can be reviewed in the Apr 2010 - Sept 2010 narrative report, including aspects relating to aid given to fisherman south of the epicentre.
Additionally, a new phase of the project began in this period which involved the building of a 5th dwelling.This house was constructed in the village of Putu which is a community in the region of Constitucion.Being in the region of the epicentre, this community was severely effected by the earthquake.A large percentage of the houses fell and were destroyed for many of the same reasons explained in the previous narrative report regarding the village of Chispa.
A new home for the Alvarado's
Edison and Claudia Alvarado are the parents of three children of school ages.They were one of the families that had their house destroyed by the earthquake in 2010.Despite their own personal catastrophe they were able to reach out to other equally needy neighbours and take a young couple into their family who were also living without a house after the earthquake. This family has a member effected by a congenital blood disease that requires treatment costing a large percentage of Edison's monthly income.This left no financial possibility for the family to be able to construct a house after theirs had been destroyed.The family is very grateful for God's provision through the Chile Earthquake project and are now living in their new house. Further than their own gratitude, this project has been a testimony to others in the community and a demonstration of the love of God.This project has planted a seed of hope that similar works may be undertaken if further finances become available.
