Chile's president says it will take several years to rebuild the country after the February 27 2010 powerful earthquake and devastating tsunami that killed at least 800 people. 
 
Even as Chile's government struggles to deliver emergency supplies to an estimated two million displaced people, president Michelle Bachelet is being pressed to answer difficult questions about long-term reconstruction plans, the Voice of America said. 
 
Asked by a reporter how long it will take to rebuild a vast swath of national territory, Bachelet said: "Look, I think [it will take] at the very least the entire term of the next government, or at the very least three years after the next government [comes to power before rebuilding is complete]".
 
Chilean presidents serve four-year terms. Next week, Bachelet hands over the reins of power to president-elect Sebastian Piñera, whose inauguration is being overshadowed by the natural disaster that struck the country.
 
Damage assessment is underway in Chile, but will likely take weeks to complete. Even so, Bachelet has given a preliminary estimate of the reconstruction price tag, saying it could total $30 billion.
 
Aid and relief supplies are flowing to the disaster zone, but the relatively slow pace of delivery has frustrated many quake and tsunami survivors. 
 
Meanwhile, Chilean security forces are attempting to maintain order and prevent looting, while also distributing food and water and assisting in search and recovery efforts. 
 
Bachelet is urging patience and national unity.
 
"We are working with maximum energy and dedication to reach areas affected by the earthquake," she said. 
 
"There has to be understanding that we might not be able to get everywhere immediately, due to our nation's geography. But enormous efforts are being made by air, sea and land. We are doing everything in our power to offer support and help. In the meantime, we must all have confidence in Chile."
 
Chile has received an outpouring of support and pledges of aid from the international community. 
 
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is expected to arrive on March 5 2010 in Chile for a first-hand assessment of the country's humanitarian needs.
 
Ban is expected to meet Bachelet and president-elect Piñera, as well as senior government officials in charge of national disaster and emergency humanitarian assistance, his office announced, according to the UN News Service.
 
Ban will reiterate that the UN system, through its Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is committed to assisting the Chilean government and people with any assistance required, both immediate and long-term.
 
OCHA said on March 3 that the situation in the main areas affected by the quake is still critical, and added that access to food and the restoration of electricity and drinking water are still the top priorities.
 
The government, which is leading the rescue and relief efforts, has so far requested very specific priority items, such as field hospitals with surgical facilities, dialysis centres, generators, satellite phones, structural damage evaluation systems, salt water purification systems, mobile bridges and field kitchens.
 
During his visit, Ban is also expected to visit the city of Concepcion, one of the cities most affected by the earthquake.
 
In addition, he will meet with staff at the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), which is headquartered in the capital, Santiago, and other UN agencies and programmes that have a presence in Chile.
 
It was reported that ECLAC’s headquarters suffered no serious structural damage, but parts of the main building continue to pose a security risk for staff members. Staff whose offices are in good condition returned to work today, while the remaining staff will return gradually as repairs advance and staff safety is ensured.