Quake response criticised in poll

MOST Chileans are unhappy with their government’s response to the catastrophic earthquake and blame President Michelle Bachelet for shortcomings, according to a poll published yesterday.

But some veteran aid experts are impressed by how quickly Chile has mounted a huge disaster-recovery effort.

The poll published by El Mercurio newspaper found 72% of Chileans believe the government responded late and inefficiently to re-establish order after the earthquake, and 48% believe it was because Bachelet did not want to end her term by sending soldiers into the streets. Some 60% also believe aid delivery has been too slow and inefficient.