Chile Normalizing Most Affected Zones CHILE, Mar 2, 2010. - Around 7,000 soldiers will guarantee, starting from Tuesday, public order and the handing over of aid to the victims of Saturday's earthquake, according to what Chilean President Michelle Bachelet stipulated. UNESCO Laments Deaths, Disaster after Chile Quake In Concepcion, second main city of the country and capital of Bio Bio region, there were sackings and fires on Monday and two strong aftershocks of six degrees on Mercalli scale took place on Tuesday early morning. The government announced the sending of aid to that region including five million food portions and 320 tons of aid, as water, food, tents, camp beds, energy generators, diapers and chemical toilets. Director of the National Emergency Office (ONEMI) Carmen Fernandez revealed in her most recent report that the number of victims of the earthquake could reach two million throughout the country. She said the number of dead people is still 723 and that there are 19 missing others and more that 500 injured people in El Maule and Bio Bio. Although Santiago de Chile is going back to normalcy, there are still zones with no electricity or water, around 1,500 affected houses, and at least two temporarily shut schools. Meanwhile, international solidarity has started after the arrival on Monday of Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva, who offered a large field hospital in the upcpoming days and other aid. Bolivian Foreig Minister David Choquehuanca is expected to arrive on Tuesday in Santiago. He will bring 50 tons of drinkable water with him. Peruvian President Alan Garcia and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are also expected to arrive in Chile. (Cubaminrex - Prensa Latina) |