President Gabriel Boric announced this Monday the measures that are part of the reconstruction plan for the areas affected by forest fires that broke out last summer in Chile’s south-central zone.
The main goal of the reconstruction plan for affected areas is to provide security, dignity and hope for all people and communities.
“Two months after the emergency began, we present the country today with our post-fire recovery plan that seeks to provide security, dignity and also hope to all affected communities,” President Gabriel Boric.
Another aim of the reconstruction plan announced by the president is to recover productive activity and promote the development of the local territories.
Along with replacing what has been lost by those affected by the catastrophe, this reconstruction plan also seeks to improve and expand opportunities, as well as reduce current equity gaps.
This reconstruction plan is a new stage that provides continuity to the recovery and early aid plan that was promoted in the middle of the forest fires.
Reconstruction plan measures for the areas affected by the fires in the south-central zone
Below, you can review the measures announced this Monday by President Boric, which are part of the reconstruction plan following the forest fires that affected Chile’s south-central zone.
Access to housing and an adequate and dignified environment
One of the main measures of the reconstruction plan for the areas affected by the forest fires is ensuring access to housing and an adequate and dignified environment for the population.
This means that new homes must have territorial standards and suitability.
In this sense, permanent homes have already been provided, which include greenhouses in order to resume the production of certain goods.
Mental health support for those affected by forest fires
The president stressed the importance of also worrying about the spiritual and mental health of the people affected, beyond material concerns.
The reconstruction plan thus includes providing emotional support to those affected by the forest fires in mobile clinics and the implementation of mental health plans.
“It is important that, with regard to our tragedies, with regard to our collective traumas, we are able to talk and take care of ourselves from a mental health perspective as well. Material things are very important, but also to care for ourselves, recover unions, ties and affection. The plan is also designed for this too,” President Gabriel Boric.
Recovery of damaged infrastructure
The reconstruction plan also seeks to reduce the socio-economic gap that exists compared to other areas of Chile.
This will be carried out through recovering damaged infrastructure in all schools, rural services and roads.
New investments in digital connectivity
To ensure the right to digital connectivity, more investments will be made that will improve the conditions for accessing the network.
This will provide benefits to the community in different areas, especially improving the conditions for accessing a better education.
Other reconstruction measures
President Boric also announced the development of other measures, such as:
- Protection of affected rivers and estuaries
- Strengthening of the area’s health network
- Strengthening of electrical power
- Protection of jobs and family income with subsidies for hiring 14,000 formal workers in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME)
- 11,000 productive recovery bonds for small producers
- 1,400 subsidies for MSMEs and cooperatives to recover working capital and infrastructure
“This work has an air of decentralization that at times would appear at odds with the centralist culture we have. But let’s not forget that the best solutions are those that come from Chile’s local regions, because they are the ones who best know people’s problems,” President Gabriel Boric.