Civil society organizations are running a campaign to support victims of the tornado that killed at least seven people and left thousands homeless in Paraná state this weekend. These organizations provide assistance to residents with shelter, food, and reconstruction of the affected areas.
These include UniãoBR, a humanitarian aid movement that works with the federal government, city halls, civil defense and NGOs to diagnose local needs and coordinate SOS Paraná activities. The action aims to guarantee shelter and food for affected families and relief professionals, as well as plans to rebuild schools, daycare centers and housing.
At the beginning of the week, União BR, with support from civil defense and local organizations, distributed 50,000 meals to victims and professionals providing support. And after 200 people were sent to temporary shelters by the state, the movement helped maintain the building by making necessary repairs and operational adjustments.
“And by the end of the week, we will provide a mobile unit with an office and medical care from SUS experts,” says Tatiana Monteiro de Barros, the movement’s founder.
Anyone interested in helping can make a donation using the initiative’s PIX key. “Everything counts and every donation counts,” he added.
Asan da Sidadania, an NGO that has been fighting hunger for 30 years, has mobilized an “urgent” campaign. Formed by a network of people and volunteer organizations across the country, the initiative collects information and promotes support for vulnerable people through activities such as collecting food and drinking water. At least 2,000 food baskets will be distributed to victims of the tragedy.
“This operation aims to first meet the basic needs of the affected people, in addition to donating essential household appliances such as refrigerators, stoves and washing machines, and then to contribute to the reconstruction of buildings and homes,” says Rodrigo ‘Kiko’ Afonso, Executive Director of Ação da Cidadanía.
The campaign has existed since 2021 to prioritize the distribution of donations to areas affected by major disasters and natural disasters.
The initiative has already been implemented in the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Roraima, Acre, Maranhão, Tocantins, Para, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Alagoas and Pernambuco, and is now returning to Paraná.
Donations can be made via the website acaodacidania.org.br/emergencias or Pix: sos@acaodacidadania.org.br.
Kufa (Central Favelas Church) collaborated with civil defense to send supplies and mattresses to affected families and set up solidarity kitchens in the area to provide cooked meals to victims of the disaster.
The group will also bring dry food to encourage consumption in areas with limited access to resources. Our partnership with Sanepar (Sanitation Company of the State of Paraná) guarantees the dispatch of emergency water trucks to affected communities.
Donations can be made in person at the official collection point at the Instituto Athús in Curitiba or via PIX sosparana@cufa.org.br.
Retalhar, which recycles textile waste to create social blankets and other products, is also part of the state’s homeless outreach efforts. The agency has given up the profits it made from selling blankets to affected areas and is now offering the products at cost price on the market.
Benfeitria, which promotes collective lending on the internet, is also providing guidance to donors on its Plaquemdoor platform about organizations providing humanitarian aid during the emergency situation in Paraná. The channel maps efforts in different regions of the country and uses search filters to guide users.
According to Simepar (Parana state’s environmental technology and monitoring system), short and localized rain is expected to begin this Wednesday (12th), which could delay reconstruction efforts in the city.
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