Immediately after the devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile, people and organizations from all over the world rallied to help. In time it became apparent that some remote areas were being overlooked. TPRF recently made a grant of $33,000 to help. 

Rio Claro is an agricultural town of about 13,000 people in the foothills of the Andes. By the time a series of aftershocks toppled most of the buildings that remained standing after the initial quake, 80% of the people were homeless. The bridge to the community collapsed, and roads were damaged. Many of the crops that people depended upon for their year’s income were lost when broken water mains made it impossible to irrigate just before harvest time. And the town was off the radar of most aid organizations.

The townspeople are now facing the onset of winter with only makeshift tents for shelter and minimal stocks of food to carry them through the cold season. The greatest need is for food over the next six months so that people’s focus and resources can go into rebuilding their homes. The TPRF grant will provide food for 1,000 people for one month.

TPRF is partnering with Fundación Origen, a reputable local charity that shares TPRF’s approach to providing aid with respect for people’s dignity. After their first delivery of food to the town, Origen’s president, Mary Anne Müller, reported, “When we arrived with six full trucks, people cried, including the Mayor. We worked in collaboration with the local authorities to reach the people in greatest need and were able to meet amazing human beings who, in spite of the tragedy, gave us much more than we gave them. Their dignity and strength amidst adversity moved us deeply.”

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