To help the victims of the rains in the Serrana region of Rio de Janeiro, hit by the biggest weather-related disaster in Brazil’s history, Vale has launched a fundraising campaign. On January 14th, we took on the commitment to donate R$2 for every R$1 deposited in a bank account specially opened to receive donations from our employees in Brazil, their families and friends. The account, opened in the name of the Vale Foundation, is held at Banco do Brasil.
The campaign will last until the 31st. The money raised will be used directly in the reconstruction of the affected areas. More than 800 deaths have so far been recorded in the region.
Find out about the company’s other initiatives
Together with our partners Camargo Corrêa, U&M and Mega Energia, Vale has provided Rio de Janeiro state government with heavy equipment and operators to assist in the work of rescuing victims and removing earth and debris.
The company has also acquired basic food supplies, water-purifying tablets and tetanus vaccines to give to the victims. Each tablet is able to make 500 liters of water drinkable. Haulage company Della Volpe has been transporting these donated goods for free since January 15th.
In addition, Vale has been working since January 13th to locate and support employees and their families who were cut off in affected areas and left without communications, water and food supplies. Search and rescue teams have been mobilized to provide urgent items and remove people from these areas.
Employees can also donate food, clothes, cleaning products and other items at collection posts installed at the company’s buildings in Rio. Haulage company Della Volpe, which provides services to Vale, has voluntarily pledged to transport the donated products to the sites.