We received this message from Ronny Pulgar, a pastor in Punta Arenas.
Like a great storm, the Covid-19 Pandemic is upon us. We live today in a feeling of vulnerability and anxiety, and not only because of the ravages of the Pandemic, but we were already experiencing a social pandemic, where the economic, social, labour and political aspects have become unsustainable. Hospitals are unable to supply the sick, factories are laying off workers, and everything has become unstable and chaotic. Chile has the highest Covid-19 infection rates after Brazil and Peru; we have already surpassed China and the United States in terms of deaths per million population.
In many cities of our country, common pots are being made, and food is being delivered. Many have lost their jobs, and the unemployment rate shot up to 16%, something that has not happened for 35 years. People are starving and they don’t see a short-term solution. Social Confinement is causing mental illnesses of coexistence and domestic violence. There is a ban on meeting and there is a call for social distancing. Our last church service was on March 15.
As a church we are raising money to make families baskets and go to the aid of the most needy. Already, several boxes of merchandise have been delivered, however the needs are large and we cannot help everyone, financial resources are lacking, although there are plenty of volunteers.
For this reason, I ask you to pray for Chile, our people and our church.
We are in an unprecedented crisis. God have mercy on his people.
Ronny Pulgar