In response to the recent bushfires in southern Chile, the BHP Billiton Foundation today announced a donation of US$500,000 to Un TECHO para Chile to assist with local relief efforts.

James Ensor, Chief Executive Officer of the BHP Billiton Foundation, said: “The devastating bushfires in southern Chile have tragically resulted in multiple fatalities as well as affecting hundreds of thousands of hectares, consuming entire towns and severely impacting thousands of people’s homes and livelihoods. The immediate response effort has involved firefighters, experts and resources drawn from multiple countries. The BHP Billiton Foundation has a strong connection to Chile through our Ayllu Solar project, so we are glad to be able to support Un TECHO para Chile in their work to aid the recovery of local communities.”

"TECHO-Chile" is a Chilean non-governmental organisation that works to overcome poverty and exclusion. TECHO has called on over 7,000 volunteers to build in the areas affected by the bushfires and aims to construct 500 houses in 8 weeks.

The BHP Billiton Foundation is a charity funded by BHP Billiton.

Further information on the BHP Billiton Foundation can be found at: www.bhpbilliton.com/Foundation