Relief Support Needed for Construction, Clinics in Chile

News provided by

Mar 07, 2010, 03:38 ET

PADF-OAS seek donations at (877) 572-4484

WASHINGTON, March 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Donations are needed to support general relief, a group of children's clinics and an organization dedicated to rebuilding homes in Chile, the non-profit Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) announced today. www.PanAmericanRelief.org

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100211/DC53912LOGO )

"Despite the generous contributions, a week after the deadly quake our neighbors in Chile still urgently need your help," says John Sanbrailo, PADF's executive director. "We're working to ensure that Chileans back on their feet. Please call (877) 572-4484 to make your donation."

PADF, which also acts as the natural disaster relief arm of the Organization of American States (OAS), will support two non-profit institutions in Chile – "Un Techo Para Mi Pais" and "Coaniquem" – as well as general relief efforts.

Un Techo Para Mi Pais, a widely acclaimed non-profit that started in 1997, has a target of building 30,000 emergency shelters in Chile. Internationally recognized Coaniquem has children's medical treatment and burn centers in the hardest-hit areas of Chile.

An estimated 1.5 million people have been affected by the 8.8 earthquake. More than 130 aftershocks of 5.0 or greater have caused panic and more damage, including a 6.8 and 6.0 on Friday.

Chile's quake – the world's largest in the past 50 years – struck almost seven weeks after the deadly 7.0 in Haiti, where PADF has been one of the leaders in relief and recovery efforts. More than 230,000 were killed in Haiti and more than 1 million are still homeless. Only half of them have received temporary shelter before the rainy season, which starts in a few weeks, according to published reports.

"PADF and the OAS are responding to both earthquakes," says Sanbrailo. "We are also asking the public to continue to donate to Haiti relief and recovery efforts."

Donations for both Haiti and Chile may be made on PADF's secure website, www.PanAmericanRelief.org, or by calling (877) 572-4484.

About PADF

PADF is an independent, non-profit organization that creates public-private partnerships to assist the least advantaged people in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Through these partnerships and as a unique affiliate of the Organization of American States, PADF creates economic opportunities, strengthens communities and prepares for and responds to natural disasters.

Having worked in every country in the region, PADF engages community-based groups, governments and the private sector in the process of implementing appropriate solutions for sustainable development.

In the past year, more than 5.6 million people in 18 countries benefited from PADF and its programs. www.padf.org

About the OAS

The Organization of American States (OAS) is the world's oldest regional organization, dating back to the First International Conference of American States, which was held in Washington, D.C. from October 1889 to April 1890. Today, it is comprised of 34 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean. www.oas.org

www.PanAmericanRelief.org

SOURCE Pan American Development Foundation