UAE preparing urgent aid delivery as south Brazil floods rule headlines globally

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed has issued a directive for relief supplies to be sent to Brazil to alleviate the suffering of people affected by unprecedented floods. It comes as the Emirati leader and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recently held a phone call.

His Highness also expressed his sympathy for the families of flood victims and those injured in the disaster. Brazil floods have been ruling headlines globally this month, highlighting the enormous impact climate change can have on the planet.

The leaders discussed efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation, especially in relation to the economy, technology, clean energy and food security. They also expressed support for efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East.

Conversei por telefone com o Xeique Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, presidente dos Emirados Árabes Unidos, que me comunicou do envio de três aviões do país ao Brasil com transporte de doações em apoio ao Rio Grande do Sul nos próximos dias. Agradeci ao gesto de solidariedade aos…

— Lula (@LulaOficial) May 16, 2024

Sheikh Mohamed awarded for humanitarian efforts

The UAE President’s directive to send urgent aid for the Brazilians supports the Gulf state’s prominent history of helping those in need as soon as possible. The UAE has helped people struggling in Gaza, earthquake victims in Turkey, and Pakistan floods victims.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) recently announced the recipient of the inaugural PAM Global Humanitarian Personality Award. This prestigious recognition has been bestowed upon Sheikh Mohamed for his exemplary contributions.

The devastating Brazil floods have taken a toll on millions of residents. Since the beginning of May, the floods in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil, have made global headlines. The Guaíba River in the state capital has broken a record set in 1941.

Precarious situation in Rio Grande do Sul

Mais apoio para quem mais precisa neste momento. O @govbr anunciou hoje o Auxílio Reconstrução para famílias desabrigadas ou desalojadas pela catástrofe climática no Rio Grande do Sul. Cerca de 240 mil famílias devem ser beneficiadas pela medida, em parcela única de R$ 5,1 mil, e… pic.twitter.com/UpgaIWedUc

— Lula (@LulaOficial) May 15, 2024

The death toll in the southern state reached 149 on Thursday and continues to increase. A minimum of 108 people are still missing. More than 600,000 people have been displaced and at least 2 million have been directly or indirectly affected by the chaos.

In numerous municipalities, the water and energy systems took a hit, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes with no basic amenities. The situation is precarious. Schools suspended classes and the state’s main roads and airport are closed.

But while the southern part of the country remains inundated, a heatwave caused record-breaking temperatures in the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais. For scale, this is similar to all of northern France being flooded and Barcelona struggling in 40C.