By Fernanda Wu, Hsiu-Lien Chu | Chile
In early February 2024, a relentless wildfire tore through central Chile, leaving entire towns like Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, and Quilpué reduced to ash. Over 40,000 families were displaced, their homes scorched to the ground, their lives in disarray. Amid this desolation, a team of five Tzu Chi volunteers from the capital Santiago embarked on a journey to the devastated regions, determined to bring relief and hope to those who had lost everything.
Entering the Disaster Zone: Understanding the Needs of Survivors
As they traveled to Villa Alemana, one of the hardest-hit areas, the sight of charred landscapes and burnt-out cars greeted them, a stark reminder of the fire’s ferocity. Entire forests had turned to blackened skeletons; homes obliterated by the flames. Some houses, miraculously untouched, stood as silent witnesses to the erratic nature of the wind-driven fire. But for most residents, the fire had shown no mercy.
In the Escoval Canyon, the volunteers met Alejandro, a local worker who was repairing the damaged water lines. "Without electricity, we can’t pump water to the tower," he explained, his face etched with worry. "The lack of water is one of the biggest problems for the survivors." Alejandro’s dedication to restoring water to the community mirrored the broader struggle of the residents to rebuild their lives from the ashes.
Yong, another local volunteer who had lost nearly everything, recalled how the fire had ravaged his town. "The flames were just a kilometer away from my home. My wife is still recovering from the shock," he shared. Yong’s strength was tested, but his spirit remained unbroken as he worked tirelessly alongside the Tzu Chi team to assess the needs of survivors. He knew that many, like himself, were living in temporary shelters, their homes turned to rubble.
LEFT: Tzu Chi volunteer Yang-In Lin stands in front of a house that has been completely burned to ashes. This used to be Jose’s home. RIGHT: On February 2nd, a wildfire broke out in central Chile, spreading to areas including Viña del Mar, Valparaíso Region, Quilpué, and Alemana. On the 9th, volunteers visited the disaster site and offered encouragement to Jose (in orange), whose home was completely burned to ashes. | Photos courtesy of Chin-Chiu Liao | Chile | 2024/02/09
Everywhere the volunteers looked were scenes of heartbreak. They visited Jose, a man whose house had been completely incinerated. The only thing left standing was a small swimming pool. His helplessness was palpable, but the volunteers, embodying Tzu Chi’s values of compassion, gently reassured him that it was possible to start again.
Homeless Survivors: Empathy and Comfort
For some survivors, the fire had destroyed more than just their homes. Luis, who had been living in a tent, was despondent, his face lined with grief. Fernanda Wu, the leader of the volunteer team, hugged him tightly, offering words of comfort: "You must stay strong for your family. I lost my factory in a fire in 2003, but I rebuilt my life. You can, too." Her empathy sparked a glimmer of hope in Luis, who resolved to face the challenges ahead with renewed courage.
LEFT: Claudia (left) nearly lost her life in the fire while trying to save their dog. Her young son told her, “You must come out alive!” and she managed to escape safely. Fernanda (right) gently touches her son’s head, showing affection for this filial child. RIGHT: Over ten thousand homes were damaged by the February 2nd wildfire in central Chile, leaving more than forty thousand households homeless. | Photos courtesy of Chin-Chiu Liao | Chile | 2024/02/09
The volunteers pressed on, visiting more devastated areas like Sector El Patagual, where entire streets had been reduced to rubble. Here, the survivors spoke of their immediate needs—food, water, and cleaning supplies. A makeshift camp had been set up, and the volunteers were moved by the resilience of those they met. One elderly woman recounted how she and her family had narrowly escaped the flames by dousing their home with water as the fire encircled them. "It felt like being trapped in an oven," she said, her voice trembling.
Overcoming Difficulties
Despite the overwhelming destruction, the Tzu Chi volunteers remained undeterred. On February 24, after weeks of planning and organizing, they returned with trucks loaded with essential supplies. In Quilpué, they gathered at a local school to distribute 122 relief packages, each containing enough food to sustain a family for over a month. The packages included rice, flour, lentils, bottled water, and shoes—necessities that would provide both comfort and a sense of security to those who had lost everything.
LEFT: On the morning of February 24th, volunteers arrived at the company of Ji-Ru Yang, president of the Chilean Chinese Association (in blue on the right), to load the first batch of supplies for 202 disaster-affected households in Quilpué and Alemana. President Yang, who contributed both money and effort, helped volunteer Nelson bundle the supplies. RIGHT: Volunteers work together to unload the supplies, which include 10 kg of rice, 7.2 kg of noodles, 5 kg of flour, 5 kg of lentils, 5 liters of mineral water, 3 bottles of cooking oil, and 2 pairs of shoes. The total weight of these seven items exceeds 35 kg, enough to feed a family for over a month. | Photos courtesy of Chin-Chiu Liao | Chile | 2024/02/24
Among those assisting with the distribution was Jacqueline, a local teacher and martial arts coach, who introduced herself warmly to the volunteers. "I’m here with my team to support Tzu Chi’s efforts. We’re in this together," she said, her voice filled with determination. As the survivors received their packages, smiles slowly replaced the grief on their faces, and children beamed with joy as they clutched toys donated by students from afar.
LEFT: Humberto (center), who assisted in distributing relief supplies during the pandemic, unfortunately became a disaster survivor this time. Despite his misfortune, he remains strong and brave, accepting everything with calmness. Tzu Chi volunteers encouraged him and wished him and his family safety and peace. RIGHT: Tzu Chi volunteers from Santiago and Alemana came together to make this event possible. After completing two distribution events, the volunteers felt physically tired but spiritually fulfilled. | Photos courtesy of Chin-Chiu Liao | Chile | 2024/02/24
One particularly moving moment came when Humberto, a former school worker, approached the volunteers. "I helped distribute Tzu Chi’s relief packages during the pandemic, never thinking I would need help myself. Now, my home is gone. But I am grateful, deeply grateful, for your assistance," he said, his voice steady despite the tragedy he had endured.
Pressing Onward with Love
Later that day, the volunteers traveled to Alemana to deliver aid to those who had been unable to reach the earlier distribution. Among them was Gaston, a resident of the Escoval neighborhood, who was deeply touched by the compassion shown by the volunteers. "I am so moved by the love you’ve brought to us. We need this support more than ever," he said, his eyes brimming with tears.
As the sun began to set and the volunteers made their way back to Santiago, they reflected on the day’s events. Their hearts were full, not just from the acts of giving, but from the resilience and gratitude of the people they had met. Though exhausted, they knew that their work was far from over.
In the aftermath of the wildfires, the road to recovery is long and arduous, but the volunteers are committed to being there for the survivors. Through the ashes of destruction, they brought not only material aid but the warmth of human kindness, proving that in the darkest of times, love has the power to heal, rebuild, and restore faith in the future.
