Cleanup and rebuilding continue in the northern Chile town of Tocopilla two weeks after an earthquake registering 7.7 on the Richter Scale struck the region. Government estimates released Thursday indicate reconstruction efforts will be arduous, with 43 percent of the community's homes deemed uninhabitable.
Nearly 3,000 homes damaged in the November 14 earthquake are now slated for demolition, according to Ministry of Housing figures. This figure is ten percent higher than initial estimates. Housing Minister Patricia Poblete said she remains hopeful the government can help Tocopilla., although the task of rebuilding seems dramatic.“This is a great opportunity to reconstruct a city,” said Poblete. “The families who lost their homes are going to all be able to petition the Ministry to rebuild their houses, and we have a plan to help them.”
On the ground in Tocapilla, however, there has been little return to normality since the quake. Many residents now live in tents along the streets, or in temporary wooden shelters constructed by the military.
The community's school's were all damaged or destroyed in the quake, so pupils were released for their summer recesses a full month early. Now, these children play among the fresh ruins or help their families remove debris.
Local residents told the Santiago Times that the demolishing of damaged homes only adds to the bleak landscape.
“Most streets here look like war zones. As more homes are taken down, debris is left in the streets and on corners,” said Paula, a Tocopilla resident. “There is constant dust and dirt in the air. We are always cleaning from the time we get up until the time we go to sleep.”
A visit by President Michelle Bachelet and top ministry officials shortly after the quake also left some residents feeling slighted. Bachelet was said to have visited for only twenty minutes, and some believe she was not exposed to the true level of hardship in the town.
“The press and the President only looked at the outside devastation,” said Claudia, one of the Tocopilla's residents currently living in a tent. “All you have to do is to look inside the homes to see everything is completely destroyed.”
The quake wreaked its havoc on a community already mired in difficult economic circumstances. Before the quake, Tocopilla registered a 13 percent unemployment rate, while 10 percent of residents were estimated to live below the poverty level. After the quake, these circumstances were made worse by reports of price inflation for basic goods such as bread and bottle water (ST, Nov. 19).
The struggling town had already been the victim of several strong earthquakes in recent years that displaced many residents. Now, many in Tocopilla doubt the community can ever be rebuilt to a sustainable extent.
“I see no future here for my family. People were already living in temporary homes from the last earthquake before this one hit,” said Estrella, referencing a 7.8 strength quake in June of 2005. Estrella also told the Santiago Times she planned to leave Tocopilla for the larger city of Antofagasta in the near future.
Meanwhile, aftershocks continue to rattle the area. A tremor registering 5.0 shook the town earlier this week.
Some relief is coming in to Tocopilla. Volunteer corps are assisting in the distribution of meals and the removal of rubble. The government has also promised to provide temporary shelters to every displaced resident by the end of the year.
In addition, moral support to the quake victims has been substantial. Before their most recent world cup qualifying match, Chile's national football team unfurled a banner exclaiming “Be strong Maria Elena and Tocopilla!” in reference to the two hardest-hit communities.
Earlier this week, some celebrated Tocopilla residents returned to their community for the first time following the quake to distribute food and treats to residents. Characters from the Chilean comic book “Condorito” appeared in costume to lead a caravan throughout the city.
Cristian Espinoza, the creator of the comic book, is one of Tocopilla's most famous natives. Currently residing in Canada, Espinoza returned home to guide his Condorito characters through the most devastated parts of Tocopilla to lend support to residents.
Meanwhile, community residents are voicing their displeasure with government relief efforts. While some small-scale protests already have been reported, citizens have planned town-wide meetings this week to organize official requests for assistance.
(ED. NOTE: SEE THE SANTIAGO TIMES PHOTO GALLERY FOR IMAGES FROM TOCOPILLA)
By Christian Pena, with contributions from Trey Pollard ( editor@santiagotimes.cl)
