São Paulo – Since floods hit its southernmost state Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil has received messages of solidarity from 60 countries as well as international humanitarian aid from countries like the United Arab Emirates. The first of three planes carrying donations from both the UAE goverment and the Brazilian community living there reached Brazil last weekend.
According to a statement from Brazil’s President Office, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), which is affiliated to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has organized incoming donations from countries like Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, the UAE, and Portugal.
“They are messages of solidarity and condolences, many of them followed by various offers of support from foreign governments, the civil society, the third sector, international private organizations, individuals and the Brazilian community living abroad to meet the urgent needs of the population from Rio Grande do Sul,” the statement says.
According to the government, the ABC works in coordination with the Joint Operational Command of the “Taquari 2 Operation,” made up of federal and state agencies, to analyze each offer from the government of friendly countries and how they can actually be used on the field.
Humanitarian aid from the UAE
The plane from the UAE landed last Saturday (18) in Guarulhos, São Paulo state, carrying 500 generator, 10,000 mosquito net pack, 10 tonnes of hygiene products, 10,000 blankets, and 5,000 solar lamps.
The UAE’s ambassador to Brazil, Saleh Alsuwaidi, said the initiative was ordered by his country’s president, Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and is a reflection the UAE-Brazil relations. According to him, the humanitarian aid to friendly countries is one of the priorities of the UAE’s foreign policy.
Read more:
UAE to send 3 planes with donations to Brazil
World sympathizes with Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
