The powerful earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the central region of Chile on the morning of Saturday, February 27 has caused widespread damage and left tens of thousands homeless.

Telephone and cell phone coverage is erratic or unavailable and much of the nation is without electricity, hampering communications with the most damaged regions. Youth With A Mission regional leader for the Southern Cone, Ricardo Rodriguez, reports from Santiago that this northern centre is undamaged but they have not been able to get to other some other YWAM centres, which have been cut off due to damaged roads and bridges.

YWAM, known locally as JUCUM, operates in seven locations in Chile. In the beach resort town of Pichilemu where a tsunami caused serious destruction, reports have emerged that the training centre property, which is due to begin a Discipleship Training School on March 14, was damaged, but has retained its water supply, and so has become a place of refuge for other victims. Two bases in the far north and one in the extreme south were not affected. A small team from Arauco was forced to flee to the hills to avoid the tsunami.

YWAM has reported no injuries or missing persons among our staff and students, although communication is still very difficult in some areas. Every effort is being made to assist the affected teams.

YWAM leaders in Santiago are meeting to organize a response to the tragedy, as concerns over food supplies and looting in the worst affected areas mounts. According to news sources Santiago’s international airport is only open for arrivals, and aid from other nations is already coming in, as local curfews are put in place to curb violence in the epicenter

Ricardo requests prayer for the victims of Chile’s earthquake and for YWAM teams preparing to assist. More information from YWAM Chile will be posted here and at www.jucumchile.cl as it is available.

If you or your YWAM team are interested in clearing rubble, offering counseling and providing health care in Chile, email director@jucumchile.cl and the.flacko@gmail.com. Teams must be able to provide their own finances for food, travel and accommodation outside of Santiago.