The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is sending three basic health care units to assist the people most seriously affected by the earthquake that occurred in Chile on 28 February. The first unit, supplied by the Spanish Red Cross, will arrive this weekend and includes capacity for psychosocial support. In total, 25 experts will be working directly with health specialists and volunteers from the Chilean Red Cross.
Psychosocial support and emergency health care
The psychosocial support modules were used successfully in Haiti, earlier this year. "The aim is to train volunteers in psychosocial support, so that they can then work with the people affected in hospitals or directly with families in shelters or in their own homes, using techniques such as games and support groups. These modules implement the methodology developed by the Red Cross Red Crescent Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support based in Denmark", explains Panu Saaristo, Emergency Health Coordinator for the IFRC.
The basic health care units can provide primary medical attention not only in the location where they are set up, but also in the homes of those affected. In addition, there are plans to promote hygiene. "Arrangements are being made to deploy a field hospital, as well as basic health care units", adds Saaristo.
Official figures reveal that emergency health care is essential at this time. In the region of Maule alone, seven hospitals have been destroyed or are unable to provide medical attention. In coordination with and at the request of the Government of Chile, the Red Cross Red Crescent team has evaluated key needs in terms of psychosocial support, preventive health care, health promotion, water and sanitation, telecommunications and electricity on the basis of damage assessments conducted in Maule and Concepción.
Humanitarian aid is on the way
The IFRC has launched a preliminary emergency appeal for 7 million Swiss francs (6.6 million US dollars / 4.8 million euros) to support the work of the Chilean Red Cross in response to the earthquake.
The warehouse of the Pan American Disaster Response Unit in Panama is dispatching humanitarian aid to assist 3,000 families affected by the earthquake (15,000 blankets, 3,000 kitchen sets and 3,000 hygiene kits).