Monday 19 July 2010
Brazil update: SRTs doing their utmost
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Mrs Alves and her 2 month old daughter Emily Maria, after moving into Camp Confidence
On the morning of Monday, July 12 Mrs Maria Jose Alves and her son and daughter moved into 'Camp Confidence' in the town of Barrieros in the state of Pernambuco.
Mrs Alves along with her 2 month old daughter, Emily Maria, and 5 year old son, Isiais Santana were made homeless by the floods that ravaged the region for three days from June 18 until June 21 and had been temporarily housed in a local school.
Volunteer ShelterBox Response Team member (SRT) Jodie Hurt (UK) said: 'She wept tears of joy as she moved into the ShelterBox tent, we are glad that families in this area now have adequate shelter.'
Mrs Alves said: 'The tent is so much better than where we were I'm so happy that my family will be safe.'
Throughout the day more families continued to move onto the site with the help of SRTs and local government officials who have now taken over the day to day running of the site. There is also now full access to electricity and fresh water for the families.
The plight of the local people and the SRTs hard work has attracted a lot of media attention. Local press and TV crews who were in attendance for the opening last week are following with interest. ShelterBox is still the only confirmed international aid organisation in the area.
Site development
There are currently six SRTs deployed in Brazil, John Cordell (US) Gary Boe (US) Jodie Hurt (UK) Mike Greenslade (AUS) Phil Duloy (UK) and Ryder Evans (US). All six have now moved down to the state of Alagoas where two sites have been confirmed for distribution of a further 200 ShelterBoxes in Uniao Dos Palmeras and Murici.
Two members of the ShelterBox Response Team Gary Boe and Ryder Evans have now started to prepare the Palmeras site with the help of local Rotary contacts.Despite being hampered by continuing bad weather, the camp at Uniao Dos Palmares is almost complete.
At least three other sites are being prepared to receive tents and house the thousands made homeless by the horrific flash floods of June 18.A local university in Uniao Dos Palmares is presently being used for the storage of a further 200 ShelterBoxes for when the site in Murici has been prepared.
John Cordell (US) who is located in Murici, Alagoas state said: 'This area has tremendous need for a site, as almost 450 families have been displaced and are currently taking shelter in the local gymnasium.
'After reviewing the potential site we have confirmed with the Mayor of Murici that fire-fighters and soldiers will be on hand to help us prepare this spot by the end of the week - but there is still great need here for more boxes.'
