Emergency Meeting at La Moneda Palace
Following the eruption of Villarrica Volcano, President Michelle Bachelet held an emergency meeting early on Tuesday morning with the Interior and Public Security Minister, Rodrigo Peñailillo and the director of the National Emergency Office (ONEMI), Ricardo Toro. Various other ministers whose departments are responsible for areas affected by the emergency, along with representatives from the Chilean uniformed police force, were also present at the meeting,
Presidenta encabezó reunión con ministros por situación tras erupción del #VolcánVillarrica http://t.co/twgDieuvf9 pic.twitter.com/kRN74ANAVR
— Gobierno de Chile (@GobiernodeChile) marzo 3, 2015
After the meeting, President Bachelet made a televised address announcing details of the government’s response to the situation, in which she appealed for calm and stressed that all of the necessary actions have been taken.
“Right now the National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin) is flying over the affected area and evaluating the risk of floods and mudslides due to snow melting as a result of the eruption. Several members of the Emergency Committee are here at La Moneda Palace briefing me about the situation, while the rest of the Committee are working at the National Emergency Office,” she explained.
She ended her address with a message of support for all those affected, confirming that “we are putting all of our energy into providing support and relief in this emergency, as far as we can, as our country once again faces a natural emergency situation.”
Visit to affected area
#VolcánVillarrica Mandataria viaja al sur para tomar medidas en terreno junto a ministros Burgos, Undurraga y Furche pic.twitter.com/JmYeg5CsbF
— Gobierno de Chile (@GobiernodeChile) marzo 3, 2015
On arrival in the affected area, President Bachelet headed an Emergency Committee meeting at the offices of the Municipality of Pucón, accompanied by the Defense, Public Works and Agriculture Ministers and the Governor of the Araucanía region.
After the meeting, President Bachelet announced that an agricultural emergency would be declared as soon as possible, given the potential effects of volcanic ash on livestock and agricultural lands in a region that is already suffering the consequences of a drought. This measure will ensure additional resources for the region and more support for farmers and livestock.
“Here we have an example of different authorities working together on a regional and municipal level, while also building on the work that has been in progress for several weeks already” – President Bachelet
The President also took the opportunity to clarify that the few families who have been cut off due to collapsed bridges are not at any risk.
Finally she emphasized that given that Chile is a seismic country, there must be safe areas where people can be evacuated to in case of emergency, and that these areas must meet basic minimum conditions.