UNESCO in Brazil and Energisa distribute 2,500 basic-needs grocery packages in 11 states in the first stage of the ‘Energia do Bem’ Movement
Hunger affects more than 10 million Brazilians, according to recent data released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The pandemic has caused even more severe effects on the most vulnerable groups, especially in regions of the country where economic inequalities are most pronounced.
In order to contribute to families that are experiencing difficulties, Grupo Energisa and UNESCO signed a partnership that will distribute basic-needs grocery packages and information materials – about COVID-19 and the precautions that must be taken by the population – to 11 states in Brazil. The first stage of the Energia do Bem Movement has already delivered 2,500 staple foods 13 municipalities in Acre, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraíba, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Rondônia, Sergipe and Tocantins. By December, 100 tons of food will benefit 3,300 families.
The project has the support of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and local community leaders selected by UNESCO. In this way, joint action affects a greater number of people with a high level of social and economic vulnerability due to the pandemic. Together, the entities identified the groups affected by the crisis and then assembled the baskets with food purchased from local commercial establishments. In addition to benefiting families for three months, the initiative would helps to move the local economy.
Throughout the initiative, UNESCO will carry out a socioeconomic diagnosis among the families to identify the impacts of the pandemic on them. In the survey, social indicators such as food and nutrition security, vulnerability to violence, work and income, and expectations in the post-pandemic will be analyzed.
“It is urgent that we coordinate actions of solidarity and engagement to minimize the effects of the pandemic, especially in the most vulnerable groups. We are very glad with this partnership with Energisa. Our goal is to support those who need it most, such as families and communities that were affected during this crisis, in addition to contributing to civil society organizations and community leaders in the distribution of food and hygiene products ”, highlights Marlova Jovchelovitch Noleto, Director and Representative of UNESCO in Brazil.
“Energisa’s national presence allows us to take our actions to all Brazilian regions. More than providing electricity, we are committed to supporting nearby communities, especially in this adverse time. With this, we contribute to help with food security for the most vulnerable and encourage the local economy to restore everyone’s daily lives ”, says Daniele Salomão, Vice President of People and Management at Grupo Energisa.
‘Energia do Bem’ Movement
The partnership with UNESCO is part of the Energia do Bem Movement, led by Energisa together with 12 strategic partners to enable emergency actions to help overcome the humanitarian crisis caused by the pandemic in the 11 states where it operates. The initiatives include a set of humanitarian actions that include donation and maintenance of pulmonary ventilators, distribution of masks for hospitals and indigenous communities, electrical works in public health units, fundraising for assistance to the elderly and support for small artists and entrepreneurs. Learn more (only in Portuguese).
The Energia do Bem portal was also created with reliable information on the disease and content to reduce the impacts of social isolation. The company also mobilized employees, who participated in a collective financing campaign to support asylums, in which for each Brazilian Real donated, the company added an additional R$ 1. A total of R$ 113,375.00 was collected and 31 institutions in 27 cities were benefited.