Written by Katie Browning, Communications Intern
First the ground shook, then a nine-foot wall of water slammed into the tiny fishing villages lining the Chilean coast. Most had the chance to run for the hills, yet over 250 people were swept out to sea. As the survivors found their way back to their villages in the predawn light, many found their homes, stores, warehouses, and boats –– their livelihoods –– destroyed.
This tragic scene was the reality for the 80,000 fishermen and their families living along the Chilean coast on the morning of February 27, 2010, when a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck the central-south zone of Chile. The resulting tsunami pounded 600 kilometers of coast for the next two hours. Boats were found 400 meters from the coastline. The thousands of artisanal fisherman who make their living from the sea, and who produce 47% of the country’s artisanal catch, lost everything. According to a study done in part by Greengrants advisor, Stefan Gelcich, over 17,000 pieces of fishing and diving gear, including boats, nets, and engines, were damaged or destroyed by the tsunami.
Thanks to your generous donations to the Chilean Disaster Recovery Fund, Greengrants has been instrumental in helping these affected fishermen regain their livelihoods. Your donations have translated into over $48,000 in grants that have made it directly into the hands of those most in need. We and the people of the Chilean coast thank you.
Sustainable Recovery from the Grassroots
Just as we have done in the wake of past disasters, our response strategy in Chile was to support groups working towards a sustainable recovery. Most often, disaster aid addresses immediate needs – food, water, shelter – but when the aid trucks leave, communities are left without the means to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. This is where Global Greengrants Fund fills a vital gap in recovery efforts: providing support to grassroots groups committed to addressing the long-term needs and interests of communities devastated by a catastrophe.
It’s been five months since the Chilean earthquake and tsunami. Although much of the world has moved on, dozens of communities are still dealing with the aftermath. Here’s how the Chilean Disaster Recovery Fund is helping:
Fishermen’s Union of La Boca, $5,000
La Boca, Chile
In this small coastal town, the fishermen of the Sindicato Pescadero La Boca (Fishermen’s Union of La Boca) have been working for years to preserve their artisanal traditions. Three years ago, Greengrants provided the group with a $5,000 grant to conserve threatened marine life by creating a community-managed special protected area. The group and the reserve had been thriving until the tsunami destroyed nearly all of the organization’s fishing equipment. Without it, the fishermen had no way of making their living, nor maintaining the marine reserve. The Recovery Fund provided a $5,000 grant for the purchase of diving suits, long-lines, ropes, and life vests – basic equipment vital to the prosperity of the La Boca community and environment.
Marine Conservation NGO, $5,000
Isla Mocha, Chile
Most of the 600 residents on the picturesque island of Isla Mocha make their living from fishing, harvesting Chilean abalone to export to the mainland. The tsunami completely wiped out the infrastructure of the two small-scale fishing cooperatives on the island. Boats were lost, nets torn, and buildings collapsed, including the warehouse where abalone are stored until they can be shipped. A $5,000 grant from the Recovery Fund, matched with $4,000 of the group’s own funds, enabled them to work with the cooperatives to reorganize themselves, develop a joint recovery plan, and purchase new equipment to continue their tradition of artisanal fishing.
Solidarity and Swift Action: A Big ‘Thank You’ to Our Network
The tsunami was devastating for the small fishing communities lining the Chilean coast. Yet in the face of such a tragic disaster, we saw enormous solidarity among our network. Our grantees, advisors, and donors took swift action to help these communities recover, supporting efforts that will continue long after the water has receded and the debris has been picked up.
Together, we’re influencing the speed and shape of recovery. Together, we’re rebuilding sustainable livelihoods, recuperating natural resources, and renewing the voices of affected communities. Thank you for being a part of the movement.
Special thanks to, among others, an anonymous donor who gave generously; the friends and family of Mónica Larenas, a long-time Greengrants ally; and Maria Hedjimichael, who cut off her prized dreadlocks to raise money for affected communities. Your dedication and generosity are inspiring!