Calama municipality launches food aid and scholarship program for vulnerable families

The Calama City Council approved the purchase of 600 food boxes valued at more than 51 million Chilean pesos. Each box, worth about 85 000 CLP, contains 57 non‑perishable items such as rice, pasta, flour, oil, tomato sauce and legumes. Dideco director Irene Alfaro Cortez said the boxes are distributed “by spontaneous demand” after a social evaluation of each family’s needs.

In a separate initiative, the municipality began delivering a municipal scholarship to more than 1,000 students. The program allocates 144 648 CLP per student and is funded with a total investment of 150 million CLP. It covers school materials, uniforms, transport and other essential expenses. Mayor Eliecer Chamorro and Dideco director Alfaro highlighted that the expanded eligibility criteria aim to support families experiencing heightened economic vulnerability.

Both measures are part of Calama’s year‑round social assistance efforts, intended to improve the welfare and educational prospects of the city’s most disadvantaged residents.