AN OXFAM team of aid workers has now arrived in Santiago, Chile, spearheading the aid agency’s response to Saturday’s devastating earthquake, which registered 8.8 on the Richter scale.

As well as sending a team to the disaster-hit area of Concepcion, the organisation is also sending in relief supplies.

A stock of emergency supplies, including blankets, water buckets and water filters, is now on its way from an Oxfam warehouse in Bolivia to Chile.

Charlie Rowley, who is heading Oxfam’s assessment team in the disaster zone, said: “It is early days yet, but we are here to do what we can to help the people whose lives have been turned upside down by this disaster. We are particularly concerned about people living in the more remote, rural areas as they are least likely to receive immediate assistance.”

To make a donation to the relief effort, visit oxfam.org.uk