The Chilean government has arranged a donation from the Chile Fund Against Hunger and Poverty for Colombia, where severe fires have affected more than 92,000 hectares of forest and farmland in recent months.
Chile’s Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna said the two countries have historically close diplomatic ties, marked by cooperation and ongoing dialogue. He added that Chile would support Colombia whenever it needs help.
The contribution is intended to strengthen the preparedness and response capacity of five fire departments. Five teams of seven firefighters each will receive protective clothing, boots, helmets, gloves, goggles, head and neck protection, as well as tools and specialised equipment.
The plan also includes the purchase of three DJI Mavic 3 Thermal drones. They will support fire monitoring, help identify hotspots and assess affected areas, and provide geospatial information for decision-making during emergencies.
The donation could also fund RAC 100 certification for six firefighters to operate the drones in line with Colombian aviation regulations.
The Chile Fund is an initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and AGCID, in partnership with UNDP Chile. Since 2011, it has provided humanitarian aid to countries affected by disasters and supported nearly 100 cooperation projects contributing to development in South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.
