en.Wedoany.com Reported - SalmonChile, together with multiple industry associations in Chile's Los Lagos Region, associations from various production sectors, the Municipality of Puerto Varas, Desafío Levantemos Chile, and companies from different production sectors, held a public briefing on the progress of post-tornado reconstruction. The meeting aimed to summarize the results of coordinated efforts between the public sector, private sector, and civil society.
This initiative is part of a cooperation framework between the production sectors and Desafío Levantemos Chile, designed to achieve a rapid, coordinated response in emergencies. This cooperation mechanism was previously applied to the 2021 Castro fire and the forest fires affecting the Biobío Region in the summer of 2026. In the recent relief operation in Puerto Varas, the collaboration raised over 400 million pesos in cash and in-kind donations, directly assisting 110 affected individuals.
Key outcomes of the reconstruction efforts include funding for 31 permanent housing solutions, specifically through the distribution of reconstruction cards to 21 families, the reconstruction of two permanent homes, and supervision of the self-construction process for another eight affected families. Additionally, the project helped 17 entrepreneurs who lost their businesses due to the disaster by providing tools, technical guidance, and training.
Puerto Varas Mayor Tomás Gárate attended the meeting, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among organizations and praising the city's rapid progress in recovery, calling it a model of national cooperation.
The meeting also brought together representatives from the entire value chain of the salmon farming industry, including SalmonChile's trade associations and member companies, structure suppliers, net suppliers, live fish transport vessels, port and fish health service providers, as well as companies like Banco de Chile, Rosen, Soprole, and businesses from the construction sector.
SalmonChile's Community Affairs Director, Felipe Díaz, highlighted the value of cooperation among different participants. He stated that SalmonChile, together with its member companies, coordinates initiatives with organized civil society and government agencies to care for employees and promote community development and local progress. This meeting aimed to understand the implementation of support for families affected by the tornado and to explore long-term actions in areas such as education, health, and entrepreneurship.
SalmonChile's Biobío Region Representative, Ricardo López, emphasized that these emergencies are major shared challenges that no one can solve alone, making it crucial to strengthen collaboration between companies, their employees, and communities.
Desafío Levantemos Chile's Emergency Director, Askaan Wohlt, stressed the importance of transitioning from emergency response to prevention. He noted that current emergency management is not just about response but also about prevention. The case of Puerto Varas should serve as a model, demonstrating that when solidarity and collaboration work efficiently, communities can not only be rebuilt faster but also permanently. He stated that as long as everyone works together, they can rebuild Chile and will continue to strengthen and promote these collaborations.
