Over 130 people have died so far in the tragic wild fires that have ripped through Chile’s Valparaiso and Viña del Mar region this February. It the worst natural disaster in Chile since the 2010 earthquake with a quickly-climbing death toll. Here is how to help and donate to charities and people working in the region to provide relief to the people and animals affected:

 

Update:

Yesterday, five days after devastating wildfires took hold in Chile’s Valparaíso Region on 2 February, the fire brigade declared them to be under control. Some 1,900 volunteer firefighters were involved in the effort to combat the fires that not only ravaged forests and farmland but also rampaged through residential districts of tourist city Viña del Mar and other local towns, destroying around 14,000 homes and killing at least 131 people. 

Teams of doctors and vets are working 24/7 shifts to attend to the sick and injured. The operation to clean up the debris is just getting started and, in the meantime, a staggering number of people (and their pets) have been left homeless. Many have found refuge with friends or family, others are in temporary hostels, while others are camping out near the burned-out shells of their homes.  One thing is for certain – it’s going to be a long time before things get back to normal in this region.

National charities to support and donate to – How to help with the Chile wild fires

Desafío Levantemos Chile

This is a national charity that responds to disaster situations (https://desafiolevantemoschile.org/). They are now raising money for first aid kits and to help remove debris in the areas where homes have been burned down and will subsequently look at reconstruction efforts. 

The webpage for this campaign (in Spanish) includes a Paypal option for people donating from abroad: https://desafiolevantemoschile.org/finalizar-compra-2/?causa=levantemos-la-v-region&product_id=203157

Hogar de Cristo

This religious charity works with senior citizens, homeless and other vulnerable groups, and has set up a campaign specifically so they can give kits (masks, gloves, spades etc) to the people who lost their homes and need to remove the debris in the Manuel Bustos camp.

Website (in Spanish) includes details of how to donate within Chile or from abroad: https://hcstore.org/dona/

 

Un Techo para Chile

This charity mobilizes volunteers to build temporary housing, especially in the wake of disasters, in Chile. Visit their webpage for the Valparaíso fires campaign: https://cl.techo.org/techo-chile-lanza-campana-para-reconstruccion-tras-los-incendios-en-region-de-valparaiso/ 

Donations to help build temporary housing for fire victims can be made here: https://app.payku.cl/botonpago/index?idboton=26240&verif=49166b0e 

Colegio Médico Veterinario de Chile (association of Chilean vets)

I have personally observed the enormous operation being undertaken by vets from across the region and further afield. Scores of vets and vet technicians are working round the clock in the temporary veterinary hospitals that have been set up and the mobile veterinary units that are going into the devastated areas to find and treat farm animals and pets of every description, many of them with burns, respiratory problems, injuries or simply displaced or homeless.

The Colegio Médico Veterinario de Chile is accepting donations at the following bank account:

Name: Colegio Médico Veterinario de Chile

ID Number: 70020300-K

Bank: Banco Estado

Account number: 62900097382

Email: [email protected] – please put the reference “Incendios Febrero 2024”