Chilean Montrealers organize earthquake relief

Canadian-Chileans in Montreal are rallying to raise cash for their earthquake-devastated home country.

More than 700 people are now confirmed dead after Saturday's magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Chile.

The Quebec Chilean Association is co-ordinating fundraising in Montreal to help. The association is working with the Chilean consulate in Montreal to take in donations.

"Probably the main contributors are going to be Chilean, but we are going to ask the community at large," said Ledda Urbani, association vice-president. "There is no nationality for these things."

The association is setting up a bank account to take in cash donations, which help the most because the population's needs change from day to day, Urbani said.

The money will be sent directly to the government of Chile so it can decide how it should be used, she said.

The city of Concepcion and surrounding towns are under a night curfew after looters took to the rubble-strewn streets, ransacking buildings in a search for food and other goods.

Aid groups say there is an urgent need for clean water, shelter and food.

The Chilean government has requested help from the international community. Consular officials estimate some 5,000 Canadians live in Chile.