World Vision and Embraer deliver 20 tons of food, water and essential items to families in Rio Grande do Sul 

• Over 1,000 schools are closed, and more than 350,000 children are left without access to education 

• 70,000 people currently remain in shelters and are in need of essential supplies  

• Supplies delivered Thursday, 16 May, to assist families affected by floods  

São Paulo, May 16th, 2024 - The situation in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil is worsening after record floods have killed more than150 people, injured 800, and left 104 missing, according to Civil Defense’s reports. 70,000 people currently remain in shelters and are in desperate need of essential supplies. International NGO and humanitarian organization, World Vision, and Embraer, one of the world's largest aircraft manufacturers, is delivering 20 tons of food, water and essential supplies to help the affected population.  

The air cargo arrived at the city of Canoas, Thursday, 16 May, supplying food baskets, water, and hygiene items. Since the flooding began, the NGO has mobilized resources to provide 15,000 tenderness kits to over 200,000 children in the region. 

"Our tenderness kits allow children and adolescents to play and create a safe environment amid the chaos of this emergency," explained Thiago Crucciti, National Director of World Vision Brazil. 

The government of Rio Grande do Sul reported 1,057 schools in 248 municipalities were affected by the floods, and 378,649 students are unable to attend school. Currently, 88 schools operate as shelters. Along with essential items, World Vision is prioritizing the delivery of “tenderness kits” to prevent psychological trauma caused by this unprecedented disaster. The kits include educational and recreational materials for children and adolescents, such as games, coloring books, crayons, play dough, and other materials.  

World Vision is also actively operating child-friendly spaces to ensure children are being emotionally supported and are provided with physical protection in shelters. 

"This is one of the greatest tragedies Brazil has ever seen. We will do everything within our reach to ensure that children and their families receive the urgent aid they desperately need," concluded Crucciti. 

World Vision Brazil is receiving donations through the email parcerias@wvi.org and from individuals here.

About World Vision 

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and communities to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. The organization operates in 90 countries, working through programs and projects in areas of protection, education, rights advocacy, and emergency response, prioritizing children and adolescents living in vulnerable situations. For more information, visit: http://www.wvi.org. 

About the Embraer Institute 

Created in 2001, the Institute was born with the aim of investing Embraer's private social capital in programs focused on education. In addition to maintaining two full-time secondary education schools in the cities of São José dos Campos and Botucatu, in the interior of São Paulo, the Institute invests financial and human resources in projects that have a positive impact on society. 

About Embraer 

Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, with 50 years of operations in the Commercial Aviation, Executive Aviation, Defense and Security, and Agricultural Aviation segments. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets aircraft and systems, as well as providing customer services and support in the aftermarket. 

Since its founding in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, an Embraer aircraft takes off somewhere in the world every 10 seconds, transporting over 145 million passengers annually. 

Embraer is a leader in the manufacturing of commercial jets with up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high-value-added goods in Brazil. The company has industrial units, offices, service centers, and parts distribution, among other activities, in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. 

For Interviews

Renata Pessoa - renata_pessoa@wvi.org | +55 11 93947-9537 

Giovanna Leopoldi - giovanna@mention.net.br | +55 11 96449-6399
Carolina Montuori - carol@mention.net.br | +55 11