MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Valparaiso receives 140 thousand USD from Unesco for reconstruction efforts

The main Chilean port, the city is also a growing cultural centre

During the 34th convocation of the UNESCO World Heritage Foundation recently held in Brazil, members discussed the importance of reconstruction efforts in the Chilean coastal city of Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in the aftermath of February’s earthquake.

The Foundation decided to give 140 thousand US dollars to support the reconstruction of culturally significant buildings that were damaged in the earthquake.

Oscar Acuña, executive director of Chile’s Council for National Monuments (CMN), attended the conference as a representative of Chile and to raise awareness of Chile’s continuing reconstruction projects.

“The UNESCO World Heritage Foundation has already approved the amount to be given to Valparaiso, and has agreed to provide the resources contributing to Valparaiso’s reconstruction,” Acuña said.

He added that Chile had asked for more than the amount that UNESCO decided to give to Valparaiso. Still, he said, the reconstruction efforts would be re-evaluated and redesigned to maximize use of the new funds and to prioritize the most important projects.

Valparaíso Mayor Jorge Castro said the funding from UNESCO was “good news” for the community and thanked the international community for its support.

By Christine Mehta – Santiago Times