Chilean Mayors Urge State of Catastrophe Declaration and Use of Emergency Funds Amid Severe Weather

Mayors across Chile are calling on President José Antonio Kast to declare a State of Catastrophe in areas devastated by a recent severe weather system. The Association of Chilean Municipalities (ACHM) also urged the president to utilize the 2% constitutional fund, a budget allocation of $1.4 billion designated for emergencies.

Gustavo Alessandri, president of the ACHM and mayor of Zapallar, highlighted the "unprecedented" scale of the disaster, which has caused significant damage to infrastructure across multiple regions. The storm system has affected areas stretching from Atacama in the north to Los Lagos in the south. Alessandri stressed the immediate need for action, stating that residents in the Atacama and Coquimbo regions require solutions now and that the available emergency tools must be deployed.

The 2% constitutional fund is intended for the recovery of essential municipal infrastructure and services, including municipal buildings, libraries, community centers, theaters, and kindergartens. It also covers repairs to primary healthcare facilities like neighborhood medical stations, clinics, and family health centers (Cesfam), many of which have sustained damage from the storms.

Alessandri framed the request within a broader economic context, acknowledging the financial strain on Chilean families. "These have been difficult years for Chileans, with a stagnant economy and, on top of that, facing natural disasters that directly hit families' pockets," he said. He expressed hope that the decision to use the emergency funds would provide prompt relief to those who have lost everything.