At the request of the Chilean authorities, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) will send its first aircraft with emergency aid material from Torrejon de Ardoz, which could possibly take off tonight
First of March 2010. The Government of Spain, through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MAEC), is sending an aircraft with diverse emergency material from the Torrejon de Ardoz, following a request from the Chilean authorities today.
The teams are currently being organised and the cargo prepared for transport by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation aircraft, based on the specifications given by the Chilean authorities. It is important to emphasise the importance of institutionally coordinating the generosity shown by the Spanish people, both private individuals and companies and other organisations, to avoid the resources being dispersed and reducing the effectiveness of the donations made.
After the earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale hit Chile in the early hours of Saturday 27 February, the Government of Spain expressed its solidarity with Chile and offered its assistance to mitigate the effects of the quake and the suffering of the Chilean people.
The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation called an emergency meeting with all the agents involved in these types of operations for the following day, Sunday 28th, in which it was decided to maintain the emergency team on standby and to await a request from the Chilean government. At the same time, the Spanish Government, as holder of the rotating presidency of the EU, issued a communiqué expressing its solidarity with and support for the Chilean people and their government.
Likewise, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation's Emergency Consular Services continue to work in coordination with the EU to locate Spanish citizens and those of other European countries. The Spanish Embassy in Chile will send a diplomatic official to the Concepción consulate to aid in the tasks of locating Spanish and European citizens.