“Our Government managed and approved Decree 5116, which authorizes the donation of food to the sister Republic of Chile, which has been affected by wildfires,” the foreign minister affirmed.

Sosa said at the airport in Viru Viru, department, in Santa Cruz, that the shipment totaled 70 tons.

The aid consists of rice, noodles, flour, powdered milk and sugar, as well as medical supplies, totaling around six million Bolivianos (about 857,000 dollars).

“We hope that the efforts of the people and the Government of Bolivia, as part of solidarity between our nations, will gradually contribute to the recovery of those affected by the fires in the Republic of Chile,” the diplomat said.

Minister of Defense Edmundo Novillo, in turn, noted that Chileans are not alone, and that Bolivia demonstrates its sisterhood by sending humanitarian aid.

With over 130 deaths and some 15,000 homes affected by the flames, the wildfire is the worst tragedy suffered by Chile since the earthquake of February 27, 2010.

The flames has spread through sectors in the municipality of Viña del Mar, Quilpue, Villa Alemana, Limache and Achupallas, all in the region of Valparaiso, in central-southern Chile.

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