International donations fast-tracked to Rio Grande do Sul

First shipments from Portugal and United States on their way to RS

Published in May 17, 2024 10:24 PM Updated in May 21, 2024 06:59 PM

Containers being stocked with donations for Rio Grande do Sul: solidarity from several countries. Photo: Disclosure

The Federal Government has coordinated the efforts of donors and transportation companies LATAM and Maersk to transport a large volume of donations from Portuguese citizens and the Brazilian community in Portugal to the flood-stricken population of Rio Grande do Sul. These efforts have been spearheaded by the Brazilian ministries of Ports and Airports (Ministério de Portos e Aeroportos - MPor) and Foreign Affairs (Ministério das Relações Exteriores - MRE), together with the Brazilian International Cooperation Agency (Agência Brasileira de Cooperação - ABC) and the Brazilian Embassy in Lisbon.

On Friday morning (May 17), LATAM shipped the initial 300 kilograms of emergency donations from Portugal to Brazil. The remaining shipments will be dispatched by air and by sea. The cargo is expected to reach Guarulhos airport in São Paulo by Friday evening, and to reach Canoas, RS, the following day (May 18).

Minister Silvio Costa Filho (Ports and Airports) said, "I want to express our gratitude for the voluntary efforts of the LATAM and Maersk carriers in transporting donations for the people of Rio Grande do Sul. Following President Lula's directives, we are cooperating with the port, airport, and maritime authorities, Itamaraty, and the Ministry of Defense (Ministério da Defesa do Brasil – MD) to collect all donations and ensure their delivery to Rio Grande do Sul.”

DONATIONS – Many countries have donated. A shipment of nine tons of collected materials is expected from Miami, where five port warehouses have been designated for receiving donations. The donations are sorted, then transferred to Maersk, which has played a key role in receiving and inspecting the products, loading them on pallets and then on containers, in preparation for sea transportation to RS.

STREAMLINING CUSTOMS – The Brazilian Federal Revenue (Receita Federal – RFB) is prepared to fast track customs procedures for international donations arriving in Brazil. This expedited procedure aims to speed up a swift transfer to Rio Grande do Sul’s Civil Defense officials. The entire process will be coordinated by Receita Federal with state and municipal governments. Donations will be exempt from all taxes.

For more information, please visit the Federal Revenue website