In response to Saturday's massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile, Phi Iota Alpha, with our longtime partner Direct Relief International have launched fundraising relief efforts.

In the immediate aftermath of an emergency, search and rescue operations and damage assessments are essential priorities to save lives and organize appropriate response efforts.

As search and rescue operations and initial damage assessments are performed by Chilean authorities, Direct Relief will continue to liaise with Chilean organizations and with colleague international organizations with operations in Chile. Direct Relief is preparing to respond based on long experience to earthquakes, including the ongoing effort in Haiti, but will coordinate with local actors to ensure any response is properly targeted.

News reports indicated that 122 people have been killed and structures have been damaged in Santiago, the capital, which is 200 miles from the epicenter in Concepcion; Chile President Michelle Bachelet has declared a "state of catastrophe.” A tsunami warning has been issued for Peru, Ecuador, and Hawaii. Direct Relief is monitoring the situation as assessments are conducted.

Please click here to donate. All proceeds will go directly to support our earthquake response efforts in Chile.

###

Since 1931, Phi Iota Alpha has set precedents for Latino greek leadership in the global community. Through the past 78 years, Phi Iota Alpha has cultivated and inspired Latino men nationwide to become leaders of their communities across Latin America and the United States. Open to all men, this distinguished brotherhood includes many professionals and former presidents of Latin American countries. Today Phi Iota Alpha, the Oldest Latino Fraternity in existence, continues to lead as the preeminent Latino fraternal organization with chapters throughout the United States.

Founded in 1948, Direct Relief International is a Santa Barbara, California-based nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of life by bringing critically needed medicines and supplies to local healthcare providers worldwide. In 2006, Direct Relief provided over $200 million in direct aid through medical material assistance and targeted cash grants to more than 300 healthcare facilities and organizations in 56 countries, providing 23.8 million courses of treatment. Direct Relief is one of two charities ranked by Forbes that has received a perfect fundraising efficiency score for five consecutive years.