Kiwi tells of community spirit amid devastation

Sleep doesn't come easy in Chile.

Conversations still revolve around the February 27 8.8 magnitude earthquake and the terrifying aftershocks that followed it, Woodbury's Matt Saywell says.

Mr Saywell, his wife Carolina and their son Lucas, flew to Chile to visit family several days before the ordeal began at 3.30am on the 27th. Since talking to the Herald a week ago from Santiago, Mr Saywell has travelled 160km south to visit the family who hosted him as a student in 1995 and talks about his impressions of the quake's impact on the country.

"I arrived in San Fernando at my host brother's house. There did not appear to be too much damage, but all the conversations are of the big quake and the continuing aftershocks," Matt Saywell says.

"We head to the local supermarket, where, upon entering, we are greeted by a strongish aftershock. People nervously look around at each other and carry on with their shopping."

There had been over 200 aftershocks since the initial quake so this one was "no novelty".

His host brother, Gustavo, works as a Pepsi sales rep. Of the 50 clients he visited that day, only 30 were still in business.

"That night as we are having a wine outside another aftershock wakes up half the neighbourhood, setting off car alarms and dogs barking all over the city. Gustavo's seven-year-old son wakes up crying. No-one is sleeping well in these parts."

Mr Saywell says people in rural Chile did not have a lot to begin with and many worked for minimum wage on vineyards and orchards. Visiting a family friend showed what many people faced.

"Her house looks pretty bad but still standing. It is not until we get inside that we appreciate the full extent of the damage.

"The internal walls have collapsed and the back half of the house has fallen in. A tear rolls down her cheek as she tells us she is trying to salvage a few things before the demolition crews move in. The house has been her house for many generations."

It's a familiar situation.

"The estimate of destroyed houses or business around the district ranges from 20-60 per cent. A lot of the warehouse and distribution centres are still being cleaned up.

"There are rumours the country is short of beer, as so much was destroyed in warehouses.

"A friend later tells me in the Colchagua district alone he knows that 25 million litres of wine have been lost. This area is the fruit bowl, vineyard and arable crop-growing power house of Chile."

Mr Saywell says there is a determination to rise above the damage. On the streets of Santa Cruz cars and buses are painted with inspirational slogans and Chile's flag hangs from windows.

"A real sense of community can be seen, with neighbours helping each other and fellow citizens from all over the country reaching deep to help those worst affected. In the town square there are dozens of utes and vans ... packed with groceries and clothing. People who haven't been affected from Santiago and farther afield have come to bring supplies to those who have lost everything.

"Chile lies in an earthquake zone and has rebuilt in the past and is determined to do so again, is the message that comes across everywhere we visit."

- © Fairfax NZ News