REDESCA expresses its solidarity with the people and communities affected by the fires in Argentina and Chile

January 28, 2026

Washington, DC—The Office of the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights (REDESCA) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its solidarity with the people and communities affected by the forest fires in Argentina and Chile. The Special Rapporteurship regrets the loss of life, damage to homes and infrastructure, and the impact on the human rights-particularly the economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights- of the affected communities.

REDESCA warns that these events, exacerbated by weather conditions that increase the risk of spread-such as extreme temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds- have serious and multidimensional impacts.

In Chile, according to official reports released to the public, the government declared a state of constitutional emergency due to catastrophe in the regions of Ñuble and Biobío in response to the magnitude of the fires, which have left at least 20 people dead, hundreds of homes destroyed, and thousands of people evacuated, including the preventive transfer of patients in areas under threat. The response is being coordinated under the National Disaster Prevention and Response System, with the activation of coordination mechanisms for risk management at the national and territorial levels, including the deployment of additional capacities to reinforce assistance to the affected areas. REDESCA also takes note of the initial response measures implemented in Ñuble and Biobío and recognizes the coordination efforts between different levels of government to address this crisis, as well as the mobilization of human, technical, and logistical resources from various actors to support fire control efforts.

At the same time, REDESCA has closely monitored the magnitude of the forest fires in the province of Chubut, Argentina, which have had multiple impacts, compromising the exercise of various human rights of the affected communities, as well as causing a significant loss of biodiversity and natural resources. Some available estimates calculate that around 25,000 hectares have been destroyed by fire so far this year in that Patagonian province. The Special Rapporteur recognizes the coordination and response efforts deployed, as well as the actions taken to assist the affected communities.

Likewise, REDESCA continues to follow with concern the analyses of specialized organizations—based on official budget execution data—which have warned of insufficient resources, under-execution, and execution concentrated toward the end of the year in items related to the National Fire Management Service, as well as a decrease in the allocations planned for 2026. Considering that this service provides operational and logistical assistance at the request of provincial jurisdictions, these patterns could affect prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities. In addition, specialists and organizations have pointed out that a reduction in funds allocated to the protection of native forests could weaken provincial capacities for monitoring and controlling illegal deforestation, a relevant component for risk management, ecosystem protection, and biodiversity. This Rapporteurship recalls that, in the context of the climate emergency, States must strengthen -not weaken- their institutional and budgetary arrangements aimed at preventing and mitigating risks.

REDESCA underscores the need to adopt structural measures for risk prevention and reduction, in accordance with the duties of due diligence and protection against foreseeable risks. The evidence available in the region indicates that certain patterns of land and territory use -including the expansion of the urban-forest interface, landscape fragmentation, and, in certain contexts, homogeneous plantations-can increase exposure and aggravate the severity of fires, particularly in scenarios of extreme heat and wind. Consequently, the Office calls for the strengthening of land use planning, the protection and restoration of native ecosystems, and preventive risk management -including fuel management- ensuring the effective participation of communities in decisions that affect them. Likewise, in the event of allegations or evidence of arson, States must investigate diligently, impartially, and transparently, punish those responsible, and adopt guarantees of non-repetition.

Given the seriousness of the situation, REDESCA calls on States to redouble their efforts, with due diligence, to prevent and reduce the risk of forest fires, strengthening preparedness, response, and recovery. It also urges them to adopt climate change mitigation and adaptation actions aimed at reducing the factors that increase danger and exposure, and to effectively protect populations at risk, ensuring sufficient, timely, predictable, and enforceable financing to address loss and damage and sustain institutional capacities, in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

The Special Rapporteurship on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights is an office created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) with the aim of strengthening the promotion and protection of economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights in the Americas, leading the Commission's efforts in this area.

No. RD018/26

11:33 AM