Support families in Chile affected by the megafire

My name is Meagan Colvin, and I am originally from Oregon, but I have been living in Chile for the past 12 years. Over the weekend, a huge forest fire devasted the Valparaíso region in Chile, where I live, and continued spreading across the cities of Viña del Mar, Quilpué, Villa Alemana, and Limache as the weekend progressed. I have friends and colleagues who have lost their homes, pets, and even family members. Thousands of families have lost their homes and their belongings in this devastating fire. The Chilean government estimates at least 15,000 homes were burned in Viña del Mar and Quilpué as volunteer firefighters tried their best to control the fires despite difficult access in some areas and limited resources. Unfortunately, many of the firefighters homes also burned while they were out fighting the fires.

Sadly, over 120 people died in the fire, as well as countless animals and pets. Regrettably, the death toll is rising as more bodies have been found in the rubble, inside burned cars and buses trying to evacuate, and even on the streets. In addition, hundreds of people have been reported missing, and families, volunteers, and rescue workers are sifting through the rubble searching for their loved ones.

The cities affected are surrounded by forests and densely populated hills. I live 5 blocks up a hill from downtown Quilpué and I had to evacuate on Saturday due to the high risk of the fires consuming my neighborhood, which fortunately remains unaffected. However, just less than a mile away, many homes were burned to the ground. The beautiful National Botanical Garden in Viña del Mar, just 10 minutes from my house, burned completely. It was the green lung of our region. Thousands of acres of native forests burned to the ground over a several day period.

I ask that you please make a donation to help support the families in dire need who have lost everything in the fire. I will be giving the donated funds to the families in need in the cities of Viña del Mar and Quilpué, through direct donations to families in need, as well as through the local municipal governments of Viña del Mar and Quilpué and a national charity dedicated to the construction of homes for people in need, TECHO Chile (similar to Habitat for Humanity). I hope to raise at least $10,000, which will help families who have lost everything to meet their basic needs and start reconstructing their homes.

Thank you for your generosity, the families affected by the fires greatly appreciate your support and solidarity.