Help for Chile

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The Jewish Federations of North America is partnering with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) to provide aid and relief to victims of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile. Click here for the JDC Chile mailbox for donation.

The earthquake struck about 200 miles (325 kilometers) south of Santiago, killing at least 700 people and displacing or injuring some two million others. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet opened the door to international aid yesterday, stating that the country faces "a catastrophe of such unthinkable magnitude that it will require a giant effort to recover."

Chile is home to a vibrant and active Jewish community of approximately 16,000, of whom 90 percent are concentrated in the capital city of Santiago, particularly JDC, which is working with the umbrella body of Chilean Jewry, La Comunidad Judía de Chile. Based on information we have received from our partner, Jewish communal institutions have been spared from major earthquake damage due to Santiago's distance from the earthquake epicenter.

"We mourn the loss of those who were killed and pray for the survivors,” said Jerry Silverman, President and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America. “The Jewish Federations and our partners can work together in a collective response to ensure we most effectively respond to this tragedy.”