0
0
During periods of calamity, as seen in Rio Grande do Sul, solidarity among members of a community becomes essential for the survival of people.
After the onset of floods, Southern Brazil, now in a declared state of calamity, has over 2,339,508 affected and about 581,633 displaced individuals. Within this large group of people, a growing need for humanitarian aid has emerged among local residents.
With the flooding of the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre and other affected cities in Rio Grande do Sul, access to clean water and electricity has become a large-scale problem, since the main Brazilian energy source is hydroelectric power plants, which were incapacitated due to the intense rainfall.
Thus, other states of Brazil have been coordinating ways to support the victims. In addition to a popular mobilization led by various spheres of Brazilian society – that is, from politicians and celebrities to educational institutions – other fundraising incentives were observed.
For example, all of Brazil’s more than 10 thousand post offices began to accept and send donations free of charge to shelters and residents of the affected areas.
However, despite the intense and constant assistance directed at the population of Rio Grande do Sul, there are serious problems in the storage, organization, and distribution of the immense volume of contributions. Consequently, there is a demand for better administration and selection of the items that are being sent out.
By way of illustration, there is a high quantity of clothing being directed to shelters, accumulating enough for residents’ well-being. In other words, there should be greater emphasis on addressing non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products, and cleaning supplies.
In response, the Brazilian postal company, Correios, temporarily revoked the free shipping of clothes, recognizing that the demand for these items had been met. On the other hand, the company maintained the policy for articles of greater necessity, such as clean water.
Amid contributions on a national and international scale – as offered by Japan, China, the United Kingdom, and member nations of the Mercosur economic bloc – a feeling of hope and prosperity emerges for Rio Grande do Sul. Above all, the charity offered demonstrates the transformative reach of collective actions for the common good and encourages active involvement in the improvement of the region.
