International aid starts to arrive in Chile

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has called for international help, following Saturday's massive earthquake. She stressed that her country needs aid workers, disaster evaluation teams and relief supplies, including makeshift hospitals and water sterilizers.

Michelle Bachelet, Chilean President, said, "We are facing an emergency that requires an urgent and rapid response. Because of this, I want to make a call to all civil and military authorities, to all representatives of the private sector, and to other public institutions, to make themselves available to collaborate in this task."

Chilean President-elect Sebastian Pinera also says he is ready to face the daunting challenge of reconstruction.

A batch of medical supplies provided by Argentina has arrived in Chile, the first foreign shipment of relief aid since the quake. The batch includes tent hospitals, water processing equipment, satellite telephones and medicine. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Monday China will offer one million US dollars in cash ... to help Chile. Having launched an emergency humanitarian aid plan, the ministry says it will provide further assistance to quake victims.