Starting in the early hours of Sunday, April 13, nearly 2,000 homes were destroyed by a fire that affected approximately 850 hectares of land in Valparaíso, Chile. The city is internationally renowned for its buildings on the hills that make up the cityscape; it also has the second-highest concentration of human settlements in the country, according to data collected by TECHO in 2013.
“These aren’t just ‘families’ who lost everything—they are our family. Today, those most affected are the people we spend time with week after week—people who are part of our lives and with whom we’ve built TECHO together. Our sorrow over what has happened is boundless, but so is our determination to move forward in the wake of these events and stand by our own,” said Pía Mundaca, social director of TECHO, in a public statement.
TECHO volunteers are TECHO working in Valparaíso, coordinating with local authorities to develop an action plan. Meanwhile, the organization’s team has been helping to evacuate families, assessing their needs, and working at the shelters set up for the 10,000 people affected, according to preliminary figures.
How can I contribute?
1. Through donations: The collection center, coordinated with TECHO the Scuola Italiana de Valparaíso, located at 2447 Avenida Pedro Montt, Viña del Mar. The items needed are:
– Hygiene supplies
– Bottled water
– Diapers
2. Donation to TECHO account: The organization will raise funds that will go directly to those affected by the fire. The details for making a donation are:
– Banco Santander checking account:
– Account Number: 6225497-1
– Tax ID (RUT): 65.533.130-1
– Account Holder: Fundación Un Techo Chile.
Click here if you'd like to donate to those affected by the fire.
From abroad: The TECHO team has set up a text-message donation system for those in the United Kingdom who wish to contribute. To make a donation, text VALP14+ £ (donation amount) to 70070.
3. Volunteering: The organization will use its social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter to communicate its need for support as necessary to carry out organized efforts that address the needs identified in advance.
If you have any questions, please email techo or call +569 28387316.
Since the early morning of April13, 2014, a fire has destroyed nearly 2,000 homes and over 850 hectares of land in Valparaíso, Chile. Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known worldwide for its steep hills and the colorful, historic buildings that characterize the city. Yet what is less well known about the city is that it has the second-highest percentage of slums in Chile, according to data compiled by TECHO in 2013.
“Here we can say that it is not only families who have lost everything, but our family. Today, the main groups that have been affected are those we work alongside week after week—families who are part of our lives and with whom we have built TECHO. Our pain over what has happened is immense, but so is our desire to keep going and to continue working alongside our own,” announced Pia Mundaca, social director of TECHO–Chile, during a public address.
TECHO are already working in Valparaíso, coordinating with local authorities to develop action plans and address the needs of displaced residents. Teams of TECHO have been working to safely evacuate families and identify the groups most in need of support, setting up temporary shelters for the 10,000 people who have been preliminarily registered as displaced following the fire.
How to contribute?
1. By donation: A TECHO has set up a drop-off location at Scuola Italiana, located at Avenida Pedro Montt 2447, Viña del Mar. The items needed are:
– Cleaning equipment
– Bottled Water
– Diapers
2. Financial Donations:
TECHO raising funds that go directly to those affected by the fire.:
IN CHILE:
– Banco Santander Current Account.
– Account Number: 6225497-1
– Tax ID: 65533130-1
– Account Holder: Fundación Un Techo Chile.
From abroad:
Final Beneficiary: Fundación Un Techo Chile
Current Account in USD: 0-051-00-08500-0
Current Account in EUR: 0-051-00-10347-0
BANK: Banco Santander Chile
SWIFT: BSCHCLRM ID Number: 65.533.130-1
Address: 140 Bandera, Santiago, Chile
Intermediary Bank:
Wells Fargo Bank N.A.
SWIFT: PNBPUS33NNYC
ABA 026005092
Current Account: 2000192290409
FROM THE UK:
Text "VALP14" followed by "£" and your donation to 70070
Click here if you would like to make a donation to those affected by the fire
3. Volunteer Work: Once we have determined the level of need, TECHO use our social media channels (Facebook and Twitter) to let people know where organized volunteer groups are needed.
For further inquiries, please email techo or call +569 28387316.