MARCH 30, 2015

President Bachelet on the floods in the north of Chile: “This is a disaster that grieves us and affects us all as a country and a people”

Following an Emergency Committee meeting at La Moneda Palace, President Bachelet stressed that “the primary focus has been reducing the risk to human life, rescuing those who were isolated and ensuring the provision of basic services.”

After chairing a meeting with ministers, undersecretaries and members of the Armed Forces and Police to deal with the ongoing emergency in the north of Chile, President Michelle Bachelet issued a press statement from the Red Salon at La Moneda Palace.

In her statement, the President confirmed details of the actions that have been taken in the flood-affected areas, including rescue operations, clearing streets and houses, providing essential supplies and basic and sanitary services. She explained that “we are still facing an emergency even now that the river levels have gone down; there have been no more flash floods and we have been attending to the basic needs of the local population. We will continue to strengthen the relief effort and reach areas that have not yet received sufficient water and food supplies.”

She reported that as of this morning the death toll has risen to 10; while 19 people are still missing; 4,634 people are injured, 5,584 in temporary shelters and 4,427 homes have been damaged. She confirmed that these figures may increase as contact is made with more remote communities. “On behalf of the Government, I wish to reiterate my condolences to the families and friends of everyone who has been affected. This is a disaster that truly grieves us and affects us all, as a country and as a people,” the President stated.

Referring to the situation with the roads, President Bachelet explained that “we have been working hard to restore road connectivity and since yesterday we have been able to reach places that were previously inaccessible.”

However she countered this saying that “the outlook is bleak, and we need to speed things up – which is what we have been doing – to reach the villages that remain isolated and need our help.”

The President then appealed to the public, emphasizing that “we need everyone to help. As mentioned in the meeting and publically today, we are grateful for the work, not only of the Government – who have been out in terrain, throughout the affected areas, coordinating with municipalities – but also of the armed forces, the police force and the fire service.” She also commended the amateur radio enthusiasts “who enabled us, when communications with the most isolated places were cut off, to make contact, find out the situation and take the necessary action.”

Similarly, she highlighted the contribution of volunteers who “as always happens in these cases, were ready to help out, cleaning streets for example, like the fishermen from Caldera harbor who immediately headed to Chañaral with essential supplies to lend their support.”

Finally, the President noted that, “as always when faced with this type of situation, the vast majority of people respond with solidarity and give their very best.”