National Office of Emergency of the Interior Ministry

National Office of Emergency of the Interior Ministry

ONEMI or Oficina Nacional de Emergencia del Ministerio del Interior (National Office of Emergency of the Interior Ministry) is a Chilean government agency dedicated to the prevention, organization, coordination and information relative to natural disasters. After the 1960 Valdivia earthquake a committee was formed to solve problems caused by the earthquake. However, this committee was not dissolved afterwards and in 1974, it acquired by law independent status as governmental office.

Other state funded agencies and services that cooperate with ONEMI are CONAF in terms related to forests and wildlife and OVDAS in monitoring volcanoes.

ONEMI has faced severe criticism after the 2010 Chile earthquake, the largest earthquake in Chile since the 1960 Valdivia earthquake. Criticism include the lack of coordination with other authorities and the SHOA (Hydrographical and Oceanographical Service of the Navy). ONEMI, SHOA and the government have been accused of the initial neglect of the tsunami warning sent by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, which resulted in the deaths of hundred of persons. [1] [2] [3][citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ Newspaper La Nación - Chile Earthquake 2010 Death Toll, last report (in spanish)
  2. ^ Newspaper La Nación - Former president Bachelet answers to criticism (in spanish)
  3. ^ Chile earthquake offers tough lessons for U.S. coast

External links

Coordinates: 33°28′7″S 70°39′50″W / 33.46861°S 70.66389°W / -33.46861; -70.66389

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