La Serena, Landau, 29 July 2026. These were the worst storms in the regions of Coquimbo and Atacama in decades. At least ten people were killed, many were injured. Due to impassable roads and power outages, around 100,000 people were cut off from the outside world for days and in some cases without drinking water for longer. More than a thousand people had to be accommodated in emergency shelters. The damage to houses, roads and port facilities is enormous, the full extent cannot yet be estimated. The Kast government, which denies climate change, was forced to declare a state of emergency and mobilize the military for rescue measures. Although many people have lost everything, the government does not want to support the reconstruction financially.
During this extreme climatic emergency, government and media attention was focused on the cities of La Serena and Coquimbo, as well as towns in the Elqui Valley. The municipality of La Higuera (1) was left alone for days with the disaster of unprecedented proportions: no light, no telephone signal, no internet, running out of fuel and the only road connecting the villages of La Higuera to the rest of the country destroyed in several places.
Storms and heavy rain also hit breeding Humboldt penguins. It is not known whether nests were destroyed and the breeding process ended. Before the storm, Thomas Mattern and his team counted breeding penguins and nests on the island of Pájaros Niños and successfully used GPS loggers. The planned investigations on the islands of Cachagua and Tilgo could not be carried out because of the storm.
La Higuera is not alone!
With a delay, relief measures were organized for the municipality of La Higuera from July 25, 2026. A team from the city of Coquimbo, which was itself affected, brought drinking water, food and other essential goods under the leadership of its mayor. Even the Association of Fishermen of La Higuera, controlled by the company Andes Iron (Project Dominga), was also involved.
The Fundación Sphenisco Chile expressed its solidarity on July 23 and launched a collection campaign in La Serena: "What is needed? Water, non-perishable foods, legumes (canned), sugar, milk, diapers for children and adults, personal care and cleaning items, shovels and gloves. Every contribution, as small as it may seem, can make a big difference for families who today have to deal with electricity, without mobile phone reception and with supply bottlenecks. La Higuera is not alone. Together, we can help get communities back on their feet." In the meantime, the Sphenisco Chile Foundation has brought the first relief supplies to the community of La Higuera.
Sphenisco supports the campaign "La Higuera is not alone!" of the Fundación Sphenisco Chile with a monetary donation and, in view of the great need, asks for earmarked donations on behalf of the Sphenisco Chile Foundation. Every contribution, no matter how small it may seem, helps those affected.
Bank details:
Sphenisco – Schutz des Humboldt-Penguins e.V.
Sparkasse Südpfalz
Reference: "La Higuera"
IBAN: DE98 5485 0010 1700 1393 20
Alternatively, you can also use the PayPal donation button below.
W.K.
Note:
for better readability, the generic masculine is used in this article. The personal designations used in the article refer to all genders – unless otherwise indicated.
(1) (Coastal-) villages of the La Higuera commune: Caleta Los Hornos, Chungungo, Los Morros, La Higuera, El Trapiche, Punta Colorada, Quebrada Honda, Los Choros and Punta de Choros.
translated by Erich Greiner
