Brazil donates to typhoon victims in Ph

The government of Brazil made another pledge of US$150,000.00 as donation to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) on November 14. The amount was in addition to the US$150,000.00 donation to the Philippines earlier pledged by Brazil through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for the victims).

Aside from the Brazilian government, the Philippine Embassy in Brasilia has also been receiving an outpouring of support from the diplomatic community, organizations and individuals.

Officials from the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil, Ambassadors and members of academe have personally come to the Embassy to express their condolences and support since the Embassy opened a condolence book for signing on November 13.

In a symbolic ceremony on November 19, Empresas Canopus (Canopus Group of Companies), distributor of various imported cars with 34 dealerships all over Brazil, handed over a check for 360,890.00 Brazilian reals (approximately US$159,000.00) to Philippine Ambassador Eva G. Betita for the relief operations in the Eastern Visayas through the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The Cruz Vermelha Brasileira (Brazilian Red Cross) in Rio de Janeiro and the faculty and students of Escola das Nações, an international school in Brasilia, have organized fund drives to encourage donations to the Philippines.

On the other hand, Brazilian organizations, such as SOS Global Network, have expressed interest in sending volunteers and medical items to the Philippines.

Filipino communities, particularly in Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro, have been soliciting donations from Brazilian universities and individuals while Ms. Consuelo Acosta, Philippine Honorary Consul in Bogota, has mobilized the Filipinos in Colombia who are organizing fundraising programs and soliciting monetary donations through the Colombian Red Cross. END