How you can help the victims

World Vision and other organizations are gearing up to provide aid to Chile.

World Vision is encouraging people to give by debit card or credit card through the charity's Web site, worldvision.org.

The Federal Way-based organization says it has more than 100 staff already in the South American country, where it has worked in impoverished rural areas for years. World Vision will ship cooking supplies, personal-hygiene kits, mosquito netting and blankets, among other things. Donations of money are preferred, but people with large amounts of supplies may contact World Vision to arrange for a possible shipment. The donor hotline is 888-511-6443.

World Vision's first delivery was to reach Chile on Saturday night, with help from the Bolivian Air Force, according to the organization's Web site.

Operation USA, www.opusa.org or 800-678-7255, is collecting money online, as well as corporate shipments of medical supplies. Checks may be sent to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave., Culver City, CA 90232. Or text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10.

Verizon Wireless subscribers can donate by sending a text message:

• text CHILE to 25383 to give $10 to Habitat for Humanity;

• text CHILE to 20222 to give $10 to World Vision.

The $10 will be charged to the Verizon customer's next phone bill. Also, calls from Verizon Wireless customers in the U.S. to Chile are free.

Portland-based Mercy Corps, www.mercycorps.org, also has started taking donations for Chile, according to a worker at its hotline, 888-256-1900.

Save the Children is sending an emergency assessment team to Chile . Contributions can be made to the Children's Emergency Fund, which helps Save the Children prepare and respond immediately to children and families who urgently need help when disasters strike around the world. www.savethechildren.org

The American Red Cross is monitoring the situation, but as of Saturday afternoon it wasn't seeking funds because the Chilean president, Michelle Bachelet, has not requested foreign aid.

Seattle Times staff reporter Mike Lindblom contributed.