The SOS RS Portugal group has collected four tonnes of food for flood victims in Rio Grande do Sul, but acknowledges difficulties in getting help from Brazil, even considering donating goods to Ukraine.
“At the moment we are in contact with the airlines, which have not confirmed anything, so nothing has been published. But there is a great opportunity to take part of these donations there. So our entire organization (…) gets in touch with the government of Rio Grande- do Sul” to find out what and how can be sent, that is, by air and by sea, and “which institutions will receive these donations”, said a spokeswoman for the private sector initiative group, in statements to Lusa this Thursday.
“It will not remain in stock,” promised Andrezza Nascimento, who said they had already received about four tons of product and also guaranteed that the group was “talking” with airlines and businessmen and was in contact with the country’s government. State of Rio Grande do Sul to find out how you can get this help.
If it is not possible to deliver aid to Brazil, the spokesman admits that aid will be sent to other countries, such as Ukraine, after one of the group members assured on social media that delivery to Brazil would be provided by air.
“We are going to do everything possible and conceivable to ensure that everything that is donated goes to the people who need it, whether it is people in Brazil and Rio Grande do Sul, or people, for example, in the war in Ukraine,” – He said.
The group member posted on social media that transport was guaranteed, which has not yet happened and the matter is still “under negotiation,” the spokeswoman said.
The group continues to receive donations at Espaço Rios, in the Campolide district of Lisbon, until Friday, a spokeswoman said.
The official added that the group had to find a warehouse in Qasem with the support of Brazilian businessmen to house the products as the response to the request for donations was greater than expected.
The same source complains about the lack of support from the Portuguese and Brazilian governments in the logistics of delivering aid, but says he understands the reaction, acknowledging that the group has “lost credibility” for publishing incorrect information.
On Wednesday, the Brazilian Consulates General in Lisbon and Porto clarified in a statement sent to the newsroom that they “have no involvement in personal initiatives regarding the donation of goods and valuables to those affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul.”
In addition, they recommended that “those interested in donations of any kind should familiarize themselves with the initiatives and official funds provided by the federal government and the government of Rio Grande do Sul.”
Faced with this situation, the Lisbon core of the Workers’ Party (PT, which is in power in Brazil) said in a statement released today that it had consulted with the Brazilian Embassy in Portugal and the Consulate in Lisbon, declaring that “such initiatives are not approved by anyone the government of Brazil, nor the government of Portugal.”
The PT core also stresses that “there are currently no relief flights scheduled from Portugal to Rio Grande do Sul and that Porto Alegre airport is closed.”
The PT note reiterates that solidarity contributions should be made through institutional means to organizations such as the Landless People’s Movement (MST), and a link has been created for this purpose (https://apoia.se/sos_mst).
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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