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<\/a>The ambassador was also contacted by the Chamber of Deputies and Senate speakers, as well as by deputies, senators, governors, and ministers looking to extend their condolences. \u201cWe are aware of several movements, in several states, that are collecting donations to be sent out to Lebanon, including in S\u00e3o Paulo, Paran\u00e1, Goi\u00e1s, Par\u00e1 and Minas Gerais,\u201d the Embassy said. The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce<\/strong> (ABCC) has started a campaign of its own.<\/p>\n ABCC president Rubens Hannun believes such reaction is due to the humanitarian issue stemming from the impact of the tragedy, as well as the ties that bind Brazilians to Lebanon. Hannun recalled that a survey recently released<\/a> by the ABCC has shown that there are nearly 12 million Arabs and Arab descendants in Brazil, and the bulk of them are either Lebanese or descendants thereof \u2013 they make up about 27% of the total Arab population in Brazil, according to the survey.<\/p>\n \u201cThe whole world is moved, but Brazil is particularly so, due to its immense Lebanese population. This Lebanese and Lebanese-descendant population is completely integrated into Brazil. Brazil sees itself as half-Arab, as half-Lebanese. I believe that every Brazilian has at least one Lebanese or Arab acquaintance. The images are very impactful, and people are moved by them,\u201d he said, adding that events such as this one stir up humane feelings of unity among peoples.<\/p>\n The Council of Arab Ambassadors in Bras\u00edlia<\/strong><\/p>\n The dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Bras\u00edlia and ambassador of Palestine, Ibrahim Alzeben, told ANBA that on Wednesday (5) six Arab ambassadors paid visits to ambassador Joseph Sayah. Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, and the Arab League were represented.<\/p>\n \u201cWe went to see the ambassador of Lebanon, who\u2019s the vice-dean of our group, to extend our condolences and our sympathy to Lebanon in light of this tragic situation,\u201d Alzeben said.<\/p>\n He said the Council is also joining the ABCC\u2019s campaign, in a bid to encourage the community to provide urgent support to Lebanon.<\/p>\n \u201cSupporting Lebanon through this tragedy is an Arab duty as well as a human one. The reactions we have witnessed here in Brazil are a reflection of the warmth and solidarity that the Brazilian community has towards Lebanon, on every level and in every institution,\u201d said the dean before going on to mention the solidarity from the international community and Lebanon\u2019s relevance throughout the history of civilization. \u201cAnd then you have the importance of the Lebanese community to the prosperity of Brazil and many other countries in Latin America and the world over,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have seen reactions from all levels of the Brazilian community, whether it be officials, members of parliament, or just regular people. We are certain that Lebanon is like the mythological phoenix. I am certain that it will rise from the ashes to regain its prosperity and its role in history,\u201d said Alzeben.<\/p>\n Homages The S\u00e3o Paulo State government and the S\u00e3o Paulo City Hall are paying homage to the victims of the Beirut disaster. Up until Friday (7), landmarks like Pal\u00e1cio dos Bandeirantes (pictured above<\/em>), Edif\u00edcio Matarazzo, Ponte Estaiada, Viaduto do Ch\u00e1, and Biblioteca M\u00e1rio de Andrade will be it up in red and white, the colors of the Lebanese flag.<\/p>\n S\u00e3o Paulo state governor Jo\u00e3o Doria conveyed his sympathy to the people of Lebanon and the Lebanese community in Brazil, which is the most numerous Lebanese diaspora in the world. S\u00e3o Paulo mayor Bruno Covas also extended his condolences and sympathy to the Lebanese community, on behalf of the city of S\u00e3o Paulo.<\/p>\n The Consulate of Lebanon in S\u00e3o Paulo, the Consular Residence, and Clube Atl\u00e9tico Monte L\u00edbano had their flags at half-mast last morning. The building of the Federation of Industries of the State of S\u00e3o Paulo (Fiesp) also paid homage to the Lebanese by projecting the national flag onto its fa\u00e7ade. In Rio de Janeiro, the flag will also be projected upon the statue of Christ, the Redeemer as of 8 pm this Thursday (6).<\/p>\n Donations <\/strong><\/p>\n The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce<\/strong> (ABCC) launched this Thursday (6) a donation campaign for the victims in Lebanon. Conducted alongside partner organizations such as the Lebanese-Brazilian Medical Association (AMLB, in the Portuguese acronym), the fundraiser will go towards purchasing food, medical equipment, medicine, and building material for immediate relief. The campaign is coordinating with Brazilian government initiatives, and donations can be made right away<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Embassy of Lebanon in Bras\u00edlia is calling out for humanitarian aid to cater to the victims as well as rebuild the area. Donations are being accepted of medical and hospital items, staple foods such as flour, grain and canned goods, building material of all kinds, including electric equipment and glass, and equipment for rebuilding the Port of Beirut. Additional information and instructions on how to donate are available on the Embassy\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Consulate General of Lebanon in S\u00e3o Paulo<\/strong> put out a call for humanitarian aid on its social media, by way of the AMLB<\/strong><\/a>, which is also partners with the ABCC\u2019s campaign, and of the Brazil-Lebanon Chamber of Commerce<\/strong><\/a>, which is also working to provide aid to Lebanon.<\/p>\n The Lebanese Red Cross<\/strong> is also accepting donations, which can be made using a credit card on its website<\/a>.<\/p>\n E-store Eu Amo o L\u00edbano<\/a> (I Love Lebanon) has also rolled out a humanitarian campaign. Up until December 31, the store will relay 3% of all proceeds to Grupo Amizade Brasil<\/em> (the Brazil Friendship Group), which has been doing charity in Lebanon for several years now. The group will allocate the funds to the victims of the Port of Beirut blast. The e-store will render accounts of the donations on its communication outlets. You can find out more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Alyah Sweets, a Lebanese sweets manufacturer out of S\u00e3o Paulo<\/a>, said all proceeds from sales<\/a> this Thursday will go to the Lebanese Red Cross.<\/p>\n Peace across the region<\/strong><\/p>\n Ambassador Ibrahim Alzeben said the tragedy also evinces the need for peace across the region. \u201cThis is not the first time that Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, the entire Mediterranean region are suffering from the lack of peace, the lack of a perspective of peace. The area needs to be free from conflicts and from mass destruction weapons right now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Alzeben said that this is \u201ca regrettable and utterly painful lesson to the region and to all of humanity, that we need to take better care of our facilities, whether it be ports, airports, or cities. They are the result of the work of generations, and they should be looked after with great care and attention.\u201d The dean reiterated the need for peace across the region. \u201cWhatever it may be, the area must be free from weapons, free from conflict, and peace is imperative. Because if this is about weapons kept in storage, then this is so because there is fighting going on. Let us get to the root of this issue, which is lack of peace. Wherever peace is lacking, you have weapons, you have fighting, and you have victims,\u201d he argued.<\/p>\n Alzeben said that besides working tirelessly to help with material needs, the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil will also pray for the speedy recovery of Lebanon and of the people injured in the explosion. \u201cThe Council of Arab Ambassadors is keeping track of any and all developments to relieve the pain of our Lebanese brothers, and to help this brotherly nation, which we all hold dear, so it can get back on its feet and regain its health and prosperity,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a>
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