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R2P Monitor, Issue 23, September 2015
SNHR: Following the Steps of the Syrian Government: ISIL Violates UN Security Council Resolutions
One million evacuate due to 8.3 magnitude earthquake in Chile
SANTIAGO, Chile — A massive 8.3 magnitude earthquake hit Chile on Wednesday. The powerful quake in Chile’s central region forced over a million people out of their homes. At least ten people died when the quake hit and one person is still missing.
Horror struck as residents of Illapel’s homes began to sway and they ran into the streets. Illapel is an area near the quake’s epicentre. Coastal towns like Coquimbo recorded waves as high as 4.7m (15ft) hitting the shore after the quake, resulting in a Tsunami alert for the entire Chilean coast. The alert has since been lifted.
The earthquake hit at 6:45 pm and lasted for more than three minutes. There have been more than a dozen aftershocks. According to the U.S. Geological survey the earthquake was the largest to hit that location in over 100 years. Gloria Navarro, a dweller in the coastal town of La Serena, said people were “running in all directions”.
Officials said that 1,800 people in Illapel were without drinking water. Electricity providers said hundreds of thousands of their clients in the worst-affected Coquimbo region had no power.
This Chilean earthquake was five times more energetic that the quake that devastated Nepal in April. However, early inclinations show that the death toll will be a fraction of what it was in Nepal. Why? This is the third massive quake in five years, Chile often experiences quakes this massive. To protect and prepare the country, the building codes are very strict and well enforced and the citizens are knowledgeable about how to react during an earthquake.
After the massive 8.8 quake in 2010, the Chilean government put millions into upgrading the country’s seismic network of sensors, and made improvements to telecommunications systems that share critical information and warnings.
President Bachelet said that “once again we must confront a powerful blow from nature”. She will travel to the affected areas later on Thursday.
For more information, please see:
BBC – Chile quake triggers mass evacuation and tsunami alert – 17 Sept. 2015
The Telegraph – Chile earthquake in pictures: 8.3 magnitude quake triggers tsunami warning – 17 Sept. 2015
theguardian – Chile earthquake: one million people evacuated after 8.3 magnitude quake – live updates – 17 Sept. 2015
NBC News – One Million Evacuated As Huge Quake Strikes Off Chile Coast – 17 Sept. 2015
Border Crisis Between Venezuela and Colombia Continues
By Kaitlyn Degnan
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s crackdown on its border with Colombia has extended to a third state. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced that he extended the state of emergency to an additional 10 provinces on Tuesday evening. As of now, border crossings in the Venezuelan states of Tachira, Zulia and Apure have closed, with Apure’s closing occurring Wednesday morning.
Some 18,000 of over 5 million Colombians living in Venezuela have crossed the border and returned to Colombia during the month long crisis. Some claim that they were beaten by Venezuelan security forces before crossing rivers to leave the country. Many feared reprisals from the Venezuelan government if they stayed.
The crisis began about a month ago, when Maduro closed a number of border crossings and deported 1,400 Colombians as part of an anti-corruption operation. Maduro has blamed Colombians in the country for Venezuela’s economic woes – the country has been in recession for some time.
Historically, the Venezuelan/Colombian border has been a hotbed of illegal activity, with smuggling and guerilla activity flourishing in the region. Both illegal smuggling and legal trade have suffered due to the border closures.
The declaration of a state of emergency in Venezuela suspends certain constitutional rights, and allows homes to be searched without a warrant.
Throughout the course of the crisis, diplomatic ties between the two countries have worsened, with Colombia recalling its ambassador from Caracas, and the Venezuelan ambassador leaving Bogota shortly after. Tensions rose significantly last week after Colombia claimed that Venezuelan military jets crossed into Colombian airspace. Venezuela has denied the claim.
Maduro and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos have each separately called for meetings to discuss the border crisis, and both have expressed willingness to discuss the issue. Ecuador and Uruguay are currently working to broker a meeting.
A “humanitarian corridor” has been created which will allow Colombian children in Venezuela to attend school in Colombia. Work has also been done to facilitate the reunification of families split by the crisis.
For more information, please see:
BBC – Venezuela extends state of emergency to third border state – 16 September 2015
Reuters – Colombia’s president says Venezuela gestures could solve border spat – 16 September 2015
New Zealand Herald – Venezuela extends border crackdown to 3rd state – 17 September 2015