Turning Disaster into a Path for Development: Francoist Spain's Humanitarian Response to the 1960 Great Chilean Earthquake

This article examines Francoist Spain's humanitarian aid to Chile after the Valdivia earthquake of 1960. It reconstructs a chapter in the history of Spanish transnational humanitarianism and explores the diplomatic and economic significance of disaster relief during the period known as the Desarrollo. The article begins by describing the events of 22 May 1960, when an earthquake measuring 9.5 on the Richter scale struck southern Chile—still the most powerful earthquake ever recorded by seismographs. It then analyses the actions of the Board for Chilean Victims, a national fundraising body established in Spain in response to the disaster, focusing on its reconstruction efforts and the role of humanitarian public diplomacy. The article traces how Franco's emerging humanitarian policy influenced Spain's international image and shaped relations between the two nations. It examines the evolution of Spanish humanitarian efforts beyond the emergency phase, noting how aid was integrated into Spanish economic development programmes. The article focuses especially on the characteristics of the soft loan granted to Chile, assessing its immediate and long-term benefits for both countries. The analysis is based primarily on archival sources and engages with the work of scholars from both countries, as well as broader international literature. It aims to contribute to the historiography of Spanish international humanitarianism, the field of disaster studies, and the dialogue between these two disciplines. In addition, it offers an empirical foundation for future research on the Valdivia earthquake in a global context.