Curfew lifted as peace restored in Chillán

Translated By Brian Schwarz

Originally published in Friday, March 5, 2010 in "Diario La Discusión" of Chillán, Chile (diarioladiscusion.cl) under the heading Con una hora menos prosiguió Toque de Queda en la intercomuna

CHILLAN, CHILE – Authorities and community leaders have evaluated the “state of calm” being enforced in the area of Chillán and Chillán Viejo and this morning should decide if the measure will continue to be employed.

Twenty-four people were detained during the first night the curfew was in place in the adjoined towns. The measure, which places restrictions on individual rights, had been implemented due to the mood of unrest experienced in the city following the earthquake.

Local authorities and leaders detailed the positive effects of the measure, which effectively brought an end to the practice of neighbors arming themselves to defend their villages and homes for fear of looting.

Commander Juan Jose Diaz of the 9th Infantry Regiment of Chillan said during the first night of vigilance of the exception measure there was absolute calm in the city.

Earthquake in Chile kills 82; death toll expected to rise

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published Saturday, February 27, 2010 in "La Segunda Online" of Santiago, Chile (lasegunda.com) under the heading Terremoto sacude centro sur del país: gobierno confirma 82 muertos

SANTIAGO, CHILE – The Chilean government raised to 82 the number of deaths caused by the earthquake that shook the south central region of Chile this morning.

According to Minister of the Interior, Edmundo Pérez Yoma, 34 of the dead were reported in the region of Maule. He added that the death toll reached 13 in Santiago, 10 in the region of O’Higgons, four in Valparaiso and three in La Araucanía, some 415 miles to the south of Santiago.

In the region of Bío Bío, where the epicenter of the earthquake was reported early Saturday morning, 10 were confirmed dead. But according to sub-secretary of the Interior, Patricio Rosende, that figure is expected to rise.

For now communications problems persist, the official said, confirming too that the government declared a state of emergency for the entire area affected by the quake, including the regions of Valparaíso and La Araucanía, which spans some 500 miles of the country.

No property damage estimates have been given, however, the international airport in Santiago was closed due to some damages to its facilities and it has been reported that several secondary bridges have collapsed.

The quake, which registered a magnitude of 8.8 [on the Richter Scale], had its epicenter in the region of Biobío and was felt as far away as the capital Santiago, where it twisted the balconies of buildings, downed bridges, sparked fires and cut power, telephones and Internet service. These services are just this morning being partially restored.

Massive flood of Haitians seek to enter Dominican Republic for food, water, candles

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published Wednesday, January 13, 2010, in "El Nacional" of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (elnacional.com.do) under the heading Haitianos buscan llegar RD en masiva avalancha

DAJABON, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Hundreds of Haitians congregated today before the gate that divides Haiti and the Dominican Republic in an attempt to cross over to Dominican soil to buy food, water and candles to provide light during the night, this following the crash of the country’s power system and potable water supply.

Meanwhile, others challenged military security as they tried to enter the border city of Dajabón seeking call centers in order to reach their families who live in Port-au-Prince.

Troops in charge of the customs border crossing, located in Dajabón, only allowed passage for Haitians with passports stamped with Dominican visas.

According to Haitian eyewitnesses, the earthquake was felt with great intensity in Ouanaminthe, Cap-Haïtien, Fort Liberté, Trou-du-Nord, Milot and other towns in North Haiti, although damage was minimal.

They reported that road bridges that link Cap-Haïtien and Port-au-Prince suffered serious damage affecting transit between these two key cities.

Still, transit between Cap-Haïtien and the rest of the towns in North and Northeast Haiti, including Dajabón, is normal. But the transport of goods from the Dominican Republic to the neighboring nation was paralyzed by the prevailing confusion on the day of the earthquake.

Trucks filled with food, construction materials and other goods began making their way Wednesday toward Ouanaminthe, Cap-Haïtien, Fort Liberté and other North Haiti towns.

The Border Security Specialized Body (CESFRONT) and the northern border national guard have strengthened strategic points in the zone to prevent a massive flood of undocumented Haitians in Dominican territory.

While the situation in Ouanaminthe and other towns in the North and Northeast Haiti is normal, Haitians who reside in this area recount with great horror the earthquake that has devastated Haiti.