After wildfires destroyed multiple communities in southern Chile in January 2026, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded to urgent relief needs.
Hundreds of volunteers are deployed daily to work with government authorities and other volunteers, according to a news release from ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
The wildfires have killed at least 20 people, displaced tens of thousands of people and left many families homeless, the Associated Press reported.
Volunteers work to provide support, comfort, and material assistance to families in need.
Church buildings in Concepcion, Providencia, Los Angeles, and Buin were converted into collection and distribution centers.
The city of Providencia requested the use of the church’s facilities to organize the donation. In North Los Angeles and South Los Angeles, hygiene kits and essential supplies were collected and delivered in coordination with affected areas in the Bío Bío region, including Andalien and Rilken.
In Buin, JustServe volunteers received and sorted donations at a church facility.
Elder Gabriel Campos, Area Seventy of the South America Southern Area, visited Church members and friends affected by the Rilken fire.
“This visit to Rilken was above all a spiritual experience,” Elder Campos said. “Amid the pain and material loss of the fires, it was inspiring to witness the unbroken resilience of the Saints. They turned their suffering into loving, selfless Christian service. The flames consumed what was temporary, but the foundations of their faith remained intact and are stronger than ever.”
interreligious coordination
Much of the relief work is done in conjunction with other religious groups in the region.
The Church collaborates with other agencies of Chile’s National Religious Affairs Secretariat and holds conferences to coordinate needs and service efforts.
An example of communal service occurred when, at the request of the Interreligious Dialogue Council of the city of La Cisterna, the church opened one of its buildings as an interim donation center.
During the two-day service, volunteers collected five shopping carts filled with food and hygiene products, which were then delivered to city collection points.
Interfaith Dialogue Coordinator Gustavo Robles thanked those involved for their “huge love”.
Alondra Frith, communications director for the church’s Chilean Communication Council, contributed to the relief effort by coordinating support and building bridges with other groups working on relief efforts.
She said this is also a way to lay hands on the service of the Lord.
South America South Region Presidency expresses “grief and solidarity”
The South America South Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expressed “deep sadness and solidarity” over the forest fires ravaging southern Chile in a statement posted on regional social media on Monday, January 19.
“In this moment of grief and loss, we offer our love, sympathy and prayers to those affected and those who have lost loved ones,” the presidential palace said in a Spanish-language statement. “We deeply regret and express our solidarity with our brothers from other religious denominations who have lost their places of worship, churches and other buildings as a result of these fires.”
The South America Area South Presidency also asked for prayers that would “provide strength and comfort to the affected families, reflecting the love and compassion that Jesus Christ has taught us.”
The South America South Area Presidency consists of president Elder Joaquin E. Costa. First Counselor Elder Alan R. Walker. and second advisor, Elder Eduardo Gavaretto. All are Seventy General Authorities.
