Boric estimates that reconstruction due to the Valparaíso fires will take two years

The Chilean president, Gabriel Boric, acknowledged this Sunday that the reconstruction phase due to the fires in the Valparaíso region “is not going to be an easy process” and estimated that rebuilding everything that the fire burned “will take a couple of years.” ».

«We will not generate false expectations. “This is a very big task,” said the president in a press conference from the Sausalito stadium in Viña del Mar, one of the areas most affected by the fires, about 120 kilometers northwest of the capital.

Boric announced that this Monday the Reconstruction Committee will be established, in charge of “coordinating the efforts of this arduous and difficult task”, which will be headed by the Minister of Social Development, Javiera Toro.

In addition, he stressed that the reconstruction will be carried out “with the support and participation of neighbors and municipalities,” and added that among the tasks that will be launched in the coming days is the collection of 50,000 tons of debris.

“We are going to have more machines, especially to work at night so that there is more State presence,” he said.

The fires, which especially affected four communes in the Buenos Aires region – Viña del Mar, Linares, Villa Alemana and Quilpué – have burned more than 10,000 hectares and have left, according to official figures that are not yet closed, some 12,000 homes affected. Of these, 1,930 have already begun to receive the first state financial aid and next week it is estimated that 6,500 more bonuses will be delivered.

Regarding the search and identification of the bodies, one of the most complex tasks that has progressed more slowly due to the difficulties in recognizing the corpses, the Legal Medical Service (SML) reported that the number of those identified increased to 79 people.

*With information from EFE*

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**Interview with Chilean Disaster Response Expert, Dr. Ana Torres**

**Host:** Good evening, Dr. Torres, and thank you for joining us to discuss the devastating wildfires in Chile that have‍ claimed at least 112 lives. President Gabriel Boric has indicated that the reconstruction process will be challenging. What are your ‌thoughts on the situation?

**Dr. Torres:** ‍Thank you for having ⁣me. The situation is indeed tragic. The‌ extent of the loss—in ​both lives⁣ and property—is‍ overwhelming. The Valparaíso region, being a densely populated area with unique geographical challenges, will face significant hurdles in the⁣ reconstruction phase.

**Host:** What specific‍ challenges do you foresee in the rebuilding efforts?

**Dr. Torres:**⁢ There are several layers to this. First, infrastructure is severely damaged, including homes, schools, and hospitals. Restoring basic‌ utilities like water and electricity will take time. Additionally, there’s the emotional‍ toll on the survivors—many have lost everything. ‍Community support will be ⁤vital in the coming months.

**Host:** ⁢President Boric mentioned that the number⁤ of fatalities ⁣may still ⁢rise. How ​critical is the search and rescue phase right⁢ now?

**Dr. Torres:** It’s crucial.⁣ Every life counts, and rescue teams are working tirelessly to find survivors amid the rubble. The⁢ more time that passes, the more difficult it becomes to find those who may still be trapped. The government will also need to focus on providing mental health support to those who ⁣are grieving or traumatized.

**Host:** What can the ⁣international community do to assist Chile during this difficult time?

**Dr. Torres:**​ International aid can play a significant ⁣role. We need ⁣humanitarian assistance, donations, and even technical expertise⁣ in disaster management. Countries that have faced similar disasters ​can‌ share their experiences and‍ strategies for rebuilding. Solidarity is key here.

**Host:** Thank you, ‍Dr. Torres, for your insights on this devastating event. The⁣ road to recovery will be ‌long,⁣ but hopefully, with ⁢collective efforts, the affected communities can rebuild and heal.

**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for ⁣shedding light on this issue. It’s important that we all stay engaged and supportive of ‍the affected families in Chile.