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Valparaiso, Chile. The Basque Chilean Corporation for Development that is comprised by a group of Chilean entrepreneurs of Basque descent, made an important donation to help Valparaiso, specifically 20 million Chilean pesos to the municipality, represented by Mayor Jorge Castro.

The donation was made by president, Luis Basauri Oyanguren, along with the Delegate of Euskadi in Chile, Rafael Kutz Garaizabal. They were greeted by the community leader at the Town Hall on Condell Street where they share their insights on the tragedy in the city.

According to Basauri, the catastrophe, which occurred on the main harbor, caused consternation in the Basque community which prompted the coordination of the Basque-Chilean Corporation to help Valparaiso with a fund that allows, “The study of improvements in the sectors that were affected by minimizing future negative events in this area.”

Affection of the Basque community

Basauri explained that the situation in Valparaiso, increased the special affection that the Basque community has for this city, which was transmitted to a group of entrepreneurs and executives among which is the President of the Port in Valparaiso, Mikel Uriarte, to say in this difficult time.

“Many of our fathers and grandfathers came to Chile via Valparaiso.  That is why there is a special tenderness for the port, considering that one of the last great migrations took place in Valparaiso, on the Winnipeg 75 years ago,” said the helmsman of the colony.

Collaboration in reforestation

According to Basauri, the dialogue held with the Mayor of Buenos Aires, also raised the possibility of cooperating in the future with the reforestation plans in some areas affected by the fire.

We are thinking about supporting the municipal nursery and advise them on reforestation with fire retardant species, like Acacias or Australian Acacia. It is an interesting idea that would ensure the land in higher areas, in order to prevent possible flooding in the rainy season.  We will continue to talk in hopes of concretizing this cooperation,” said the president of the Basque-Chilean Corporation for Development.