Country: Chile Source: UNDP/OCHA Connecting Business initiative Annik Tiedt, CBi SecretariatWhat do you imagine when you hear "post-fire reconstruction"? You might picture burned pastures and skeletal remains of what were once homes, a deserted area made unlivable by merciless flames. It is almost impossible to comprehend what it takes to recover from such trauma.When Chile's most devastating forest fire ravaged vast areas of Viña del Mar, Quilpué, and Villa Alemana in February 2024, Desafío Levantemos Chile, a CBi Member Network, was there from the beginning. The disaster claimed 137 lives and burned more than 34 percent of the area. Yet amid this destruction, the foundation for recovery was already taking shape.The importance of working with the communityDesafío arrived on day one, working hand in hand with the community and local organizations to assess needs and collect information. They launched the "Levantemos la V Región" campaign to deliver debris removal kits, water, food, and other basic necessities to affected families. "When we first arrived, we immediately connected with the church," recalls Pablo Mayegas, the Emergency Lead of Desafío. Miraculously, the Iglesia Visión Mundial para la Familia church survived the fire untouched. Emergency teams and volunteers began gathering around the building, which became the most important hub during the reconstruction phase.This partnership proved essential as the small community of Quilpué became almost unrecognizable after the fire. "The church community was crucial for us, because they knew everything and everyone," explains Mayegas. When everything resembles ash and the whole community has had to relocate, even identifying someone's house – and making sure you’re working with people who are legitimate in their claims for post-disaster support – becomes nearly impossible. The congregation supported Desafío in locating homeowners and conducting vulnerability assessments to determine the impact of the fire.Desafío's approach centers on collaboration and strategically dividing responsibilities to avoid duplicating efforts. Working alongside the Ministry of Health through a close public-private partnership, the organization rehabilitated the former CESFAM Gómez Carreño health center in Quilpué, transforming it into a Community Counseling and Health Center to provide secondary health and mental health care to the affected population in Vina del Mar.In December 2024, Desafío delivered the first 72 rebuild homes in Canal Beagle, Viña del Mar. The two-story, 50m2 houses are equipped with fire-resistant systems, thermal windows, and complete furniture. The timely completion of the high-standard houses allowed families to celebrate Christmas in their new residences, a significant milestone for the community's recovery.Their reconstruction work continues through the end of 2025. More than 72,000 people will benefit from projects ranging from house and school reconstruction to the comprehensive restoration of the Botanical Garden and support for local entrepreneurs.Community engagement at the heart of emergency response and recovery effortsCommunity engagement stands at the heart of Desafío's work, embodied in their commitment to sustained presence. Desafío's Emergency Leader installs his van next to reconstruction sites, equipped with everything needed to stay for multiple months to support the reconstruction work. The van displays "Desafío" in large letters alongside their emblematic red star – a symbol that many Chileans recognize.Yet working so closely with traumatized communities presents unique challenges. "We often take on multiple roles – emotional support, administrative help, and mediator", Mayegas explains. "Sometimes we even have to intervene to smooth the waters when tensions between people and families run high." But these challenges pale beside the profound rewards.The impact of this deep engagement extends far beyond the immediate reconstruction period. There's a beautiful Chilean tradition where people offer blessings for the week, particularly elderly residents expressing gratitude. "Even years after we've worked in different places, I wake up on Mondays to an ocean of messages - an outpouring of love and gratefulness for the support provided in some people's darkest hours," Mayegas reflects. This is what keeps the team of Desafío motivated to work and improve every day.The form of being present with people addresses a fundamental human need in disaster recovery. "What people most appreciate after a disaster is that there is someone who is there for them, who accompanies them in the next steps, like finding the necessary documents to apply for aid programmes," Mayegas explains. In Quilpué, the simple act of showing up became the foundation upon which an entire community rebuilt itself.In a world where aid comes and goes, Desafío's recovery concept is unique in that it primarily focuses on community needs. They invest in relationships while rebuilding the infrastructure of communities and restoring people's hope for a future beyond the emergency.