University of Concepcion Oceanographic Relief Fund
As you are aware, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck just off the coast of Chile on Saturday, February 27 and caused catastrophic damage to the country. The University of Concepcion, currently Chile’s leading institution in oceanography, was hit extremely hard by the earthquake and is trying to re-build their oceanographic research and academic operations affected by this event.
The School of Natural Sciences and Oceanography facilities on the main campus will need significant help. The field station in Dichato was destroyed with the Kai-Kai, the school’s coastal vessel, stranded on land. Laboratory and field equipment and instruments are lost or have been destroyed both at the Marine Station at Dichato and the main campus in Concepcion. The pictures of Dichato are heart wrenching. The University of Concepcion is still trying to take a detailed inventory of their equipment, but needless to say, a lot of work and money is needed to recover from this disaster.
The faculty and students of the University of Concepcion are known to many of us as colleagues and friends. They need our help. Many of you have expressed interest on donating money to help provide an opportunity for them to rebuild their research and education infrastructure. The Consortium for Ocean Leadership has set up the Concepcion Oceanographic Relief Fund with our bank, SunTrust, so that we can all make a difference.
IRS Tax receipts will be issued for all donations.
Deposits to this fund can be made in the following way:
- Make check out to Concepcion Oceanographic Relief Fund and forward to Ocean Leadership. Tammy Hancock will be handling the deposits of these funds and is the contact for any questions about the account.
1201 New York Avenue, NW Fourth Floor
Washington, DC 20005
I am sure that whatever amount you deem appropriate to donate will be greatly appreciated by our Chilean colleagues.
Thanks for your consideration.
Bob
Robert B. Gagosian, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Consortium for Ocean Leadership
