São Paulo – Saudi Arabia is going to donate US$ 5 million to help the flood victims of Santa Catarina. The ambassador of the Arab country to Brazilian capital Brasília, Mohamad Amin Ali Kurdi, is on an official visit to the state and discussed the matter yesterday (15th) with local authorities, among them state governor Luiz Henrique da Silveira. The state recorded 135 deaths late last year and early this year due to rains and landslides caused by the water.
According to Kurdi, the donation is an initiative of the king of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. The king, according to Kurdi, is greatly concerned with global humanitarian matters. Saudi Arabia usually makes this kind of donation. Countries like Indonesia – hit by a tsunami – have already received help from the Arab country. "It is a highly expressive humanitarian gesture," said Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce president Salim Schahin, who accompanied the ambassador on his trip.
The value is very representative when compared to the total already collected to aid the victims of the catastrophe. In total, donations reached US$ 34 million. Part of the funds has already been used to buy plots of land in the eight cities most affected. In total, 108 cities had losses and 6,000 families lost their homes. They need help to rebuild their homes and buy new land, as most of their plots have become inappropriate for living.
The Saudi ambassador will be in Santa Catarina until later today (16th). He travelled in the company of the secretary general at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Michel Alaby, and his advisor, Wail Hababi. Apart from the meeting with the governor, the diplomat also met with the Justice and Citizenship secretary, Justiniano Pedroso, and with the Civil Defence director, Márcio Luiz Alves. He also overflew the cities affected in a helicopter and visited a camp for victims in Blumenau.
*Translated by Mark Ament