Canada offers aid to Chile, follows generous assistance to Haiti

Canada has volunteered help to Chile following the devastating earthquake that hit the country on Saturday morning. Even as it plays host to the Winter Olympics, Canada shows again it is part of the world's outreach in disasters, like a good neighbor.

The Prime Minister Stephen Harper observed in statements provided the media, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Chile as they respond to the emerging natural disaster. Canadian officials in Santiago and Ottawa are currently assessing the situation to clarify the extent of the damage as well as to determine the potential impact on Canadians who are currently in Chile." Presently Canada is awaiting formal requests from the Chilean government regarding offers of aid, which have not yet been made. According to Canadian media, there were 1,100 registered Canadians in Chile when the earthquake occurred. At present there has been no word on any Canadian casualties. The media has announced contact information for people wanting information about loved ones, noting there are approximately 40,000 people of Chilean descent who reside in Canada.

* Family and friends of Canadians in Chile who are seeking information on their loved ones can call Ottawa's emergency operations centre at 1-800-387-3124 or 613-943-1055.

* Canadians in Chile needing emergency consular assistance can try to contact the embassy in Santiago at (56) 2-652-3800.

* They can also call DFAIT's Emergency Operations Centre collect at 613-996-8885 or send an email to sos@international.gc.ca.

This comes on the heels of what was noted in the media following the earthquake in Haiti as generous giving by the people of Canada . Immediately Canada responded to the extent that it was said aid agencies were "overwhelmed by the generosity of Canadians, as the federal government announced it will match individual donations up to $50 million to registered Canadian charities working in Haiti." Canada has a history of quick and generous response to disasters, as noted by the fact that Air Canada provided rescue flights in the evacuation of New Orleans.following Hurricane Katrina more than four years ago. The airlines received a request from the Department of Homeland Security in the United States, and responded quickly, helping to evacuate more than 25,000 victims from New Orleans to San Antonio, Texas. Private organizations in Canada are poised to assist Chile immediately. CNW Group observes Samaritan's Purse is rushing to provide Chile assistance after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit the nation in South America on Saturday morning. The organization is said to be leading an emergency response to include basic necessities such as food, drinking water, medical supplies and basic materials for cooking and construction. Samaritan's Purse is a charitable organization with a background of work in Chile through partnership with Christian organizations in that country.