Clinton brings phones, promises to quake-hit Chile

Santiago, told reporters at the State Department on Monday that the Chilean government had made it known on Sunday that it was prepared to accept foreign help.

Simons said the embassy is in touch with the foreign ministry in Santiago "on a continuous basis to see what exactly it is that Chile needs and to match that up with some of the resources that we have available."

Bachelet's recent requests for outside help come amid rising criticism that her government has been slow to reach with its own resources and slow to ask others to step in. Bachelet has said her government needed time to determine where the needs were greatest.

"We have these things in our country, but how can we get them to the people if we don't have bridges and roads?" said Bachelet, who is nearing the end of her term in office.

Distribution of supplies is being done, Bachelet added, but "we need to do it very fast and get it to the remotest corners of the country and get it there soon."

Lawlessness and hunger are on the rise. The central government was forced to send thousands of troops to guard against looting and other crime in Concepcion.

Bachelet said it is impossible to know the extent of damage now, but that one estimate is that it will cost $30 billion to rebuild.

With 2 million people affected and 500,000 homes damaged, "I can only say it will be a lot," Bachelet said.

President-elect Sebastian Pinera said the disaster has not canceled his plans for economic expansion. He did not directly criticize the current government for what others have called a slow response.

"This is not the time ...