Just as the Santiago Metropolitan Region—home to the capital—was struck by two weather events that caused casualties and damage to services and infrastructure, a significant reduction in Senapred’s resources for 2027 has been confirmed.

  The agency had already lost part of its funding this year following an adjustment of 274.3 million pesos (approximately 289,000 dollars).

  Furthermore, another reduction of 257.9 million pesos (273,000 dollars) is scheduled in the budget bill for the coming year—currently being debated by the National Congress—which will diminish the resources available for carrying out prevention and response tasks.

  The agency’s former director, Alvaro Hormazabal, told Radio Biobio that while they never actually had the essential funds to do their job, the situation is now worse because they are losing resources due to the government’s own decisions.

  The debate has intensified following a mudslide last week that damaged the San Carlos de Apoquindo area in the Las Condes district, and a weather front yesterday that brought heavy rains, hail, and thunderstorms, paralyzing parts of the capital.

  The Disaster Risk Management program involves preparing the country’s municipalities and other public agencies to handle emergency situations, a task that requires resources.

  This point was recently underscored by Silvana Espinoza, a climate and ecosystems expert at Greenpeace Chile, who highlighted the importance of prevention measures.

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