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Source: PeopledailySpain donates 10 mln U.S. dollars for Chile's post-quake reconstruction
10:32, May 14, 2010
Spain donated 10 million U.S. dollars to Chile on Thursday for the sanitation reconstruction in the rural areas affected by the Feb. 27 earthquake, local press reported.
Chilean Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter appreciated Spain's donation for the moment when the money was given, considering the complex economic situation in most of the European countries.
"Many Chileans still live without water or sanitation, which are services they need and deserve," Hinzpeter said when signing a cooperation agreement with Spanish Ambassador Juan Manuel Cabrera for the donation.
Cabrera said the earthquake in Chile and the financial crisis in Europe would not affect the cooperation between both countries.
Hailing "the enviable economic situation" of Chile and the development it has achieved in recent years, the Spanish ambassador said he believes the impacts of the earthquake are just an "episode" in Chile's economy growth.
Chile was battered by an 8.8-degree earthquake on Feb. 27, followed by a tsunami, which killed some 500 people and left damage of more than 30 billion U.S. dollars.