Hundreds of Volunteers in Chile Provide Wildfire Relief

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has deployed 150 to 200 volunteers daily to assist communities devastated by wildfires in southern Chile, working in coordination with government authorities and those of other faiths. 

From the beginning of the emergency, Church leaders contacted affected individuals and families directly, offering support, comfort and material assistance while organizing concrete actions to meet urgent needs. 

Volunteer service has been one of the main pillars of the response, with daily participation including youth, adults and families. Volunteers assisted with collecting, sorting and transporting donations, as well as providing on-the-ground support. 

These efforts were coordinated with local authorities, municipalities and emergency agencies to ensure aid reached the hardest-hit areas. 

Collection and Distribution Centers 

Church buildings across Concepción, Providencia, Los Ángeles and Buin have been converted into collection and distribution centers. 

In Providencia, the municipality requested use of a Church facility to organize donations. In Los Ángeles Norte and Sur, hygiene kits and essential supplies were gathered and delivered in coordination with affected areas of the Biobío region, including Andalién and Lirquén. In Buin, through a JustServe project, the Church provided a building and volunteers to receive and sort donations, which were then delivered to the municipality for distribution in southern Chile. 

Interfaith Coordination and Government Collaboration  

The Church’s response has taken place within an interfaith framework, participating in the “Religions Roundtables” convened by Chile’s National Office of Religious Affairs (ONAR). 

These meetings made it possible to coordinate efforts with other faith-based organizations while maintaining communication with SENAPRED and the Regional Presidential Delegation of Biobío. Aid was focused on areas such as Lirquén, Penco, Cerro Verde, Punta de Parra (Tomé) and Camino Florida in Concepción. 

According to ONAR, although some religious communities lost chapels and places of worship, these same organizations extended help to their neighbors, demonstrating a spirit of shared solidarity. 

Church Leaders Offer Support and Comfort 

Church leaders have also been present in affected communities to minister to those impacted. Elder Gabriel Campos, Area Seventy, visited the community of Lirquén, where he met with members and neighbors to offer comfort and encouragement. 

“This visit to Lirquén has been, above all, a spiritual experience,” Elder Campos said. “Amid the pain and material loss caused by the fires, it was moving to witness the unbreakable resilience of the Saints, who have transformed their suffering into selfless service filled with Christian love. Although the flames consumed what is temporary, the foundation of their faith remains intact and stronger than ever.” 

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Community Initiatives Born From Interfaith Dialogue 

One example of joint service occurred when the Church opened one of its buildings as an intermediate donation center at the request of the Interfaith Dialogue Council of the Municipality of La Cisterna. 

Over two days of service, volunteers collected five shopping carts full of food and hygiene supplies, which were later delivered to a municipal collection point. The municipality expressed its gratitude, with Gustavo Robles, interfaith dialogue coordinator, saying, “Thank you for so much love.” 

Ongoing Commitment and Next Steps 

For Alondra Friz, communications director for the Church’s Chile Communication Council, the experience of serving during the emergency highlighted that service is not always visible. In her case, she said, service meant connecting institutions, coordinating support and building bridges so help could reach those who truly needed it. 

 Although her work was often done over the phone rather than in the field, she emphasized that this was also a way to place her hands in the Lord’s service. 

In addition to immediate aid, the Church is coordinating future donations and support efforts, including material assistance, emotional support and psychological help for affected families. These efforts will be carried out in coordination with local services and Church welfare programs. 

Statement by the South America South Area Presidency 

On January 21, the South America South Area Presidency publicly expressed sorrow and solidarity in response to the tragedy: 

“We express our love, empathy and prayers for those who have been affected and for those who have lost a loved one. As we have done in the past, we will coordinate with the government and other organizations to provide volunteers and material assistance, with the desire to bring relief and hope to those who have been deeply impacted by this catastrophe,” said Elders Joaquin E. Costa, Alan R. Walker and Eduardo Gavarret. 

The Presidency also invited individuals and families to join in prayer for the protection of firefighters, police officers and all those working in this emergency, reflecting the love and compassion taught by Jesus Christ.