Chilean Islands Relief

On Gabriola Island, BC, Canada we are gathering funds to help fishermen and their families in Isla Mocha &  Isla Santa Maria, two small islands, just off the coast from Concepcion, Chile. Those Islands bore the brunt of the recent 8.8 earthquake and tsunami in Chile. Half of the fishermen lost their boats and many of their houses were totally destroyed. People are living in the hills on makeshift houses in fear of more tsunamis. With winter rapidly approaching it is feared that sickness will become an issue specially amongst children and the elderly.

Before the earthquake and tsunami life in the islands was at best, one of subsistence. Fishermen and their families gathered algae, crustaceans and fish around the islands as food and were able to sell some of it to markets on the continent . Now, they find themselves without their basic tools such as boats, outboard motors, or nets. Also, without insurance , welfare or unemployment, things we all take for granted life has become desperate.

The islands were isolated and without help for more that three weeks because the bigger boats that linked the islands to the mainland were also destroyed by the tsunami. The normal flow of people and goods to the islands has virtually stopped.

 

Contacts and Donations:

 

 

Email: chilean.islands.relief@gmail.com 

Tel: 250-247-9933

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