Brasília – To help communities hit by heavy storms in Rio Grande do Sul, the Defense Ministry has mobilized 642 military personnel, 8 aircraft, 10 boats and around 50 vehicles. The joint efforts of the Navy, Army and Air Force, in support of Civil Defense, are being coordinated by the Taquari Joint Command, activated last Wednesday (6), in Porto Alegre (RS). The actions are concentrated in the municipalities of the Taquari Valley, one of the regions hardest hit by the rains.
The troops are involved in various activities, such as searching for and rescuing victims, aeromedical evacuations, transporting teams and families, sorting and delivering donated clothing and food, distributing drinking water and supplying food to firefighters in the field and other participating agencies. Engineering teams are also taking turns clearing roads and removing debris.
Among the resources made available, the Armed Forces are using 8 aircraft (1 UH-12 Esquilo, 1 UH-15 Super Cougar, 2 AH-1 Fennec, 1 HM-1 Pantera, 2 H-60 Black Hawk and 1 H-36 Caracal), 10 dinghies, 26 trucks, 2 water tankers, 2 ambulances, backhoes, tractors and 18 different vehicles, as well as engineering materials and equipment, generators and field tents.
Federal Government entourage – On Friday (8), the President of the Republic in office, Geraldo Alckmin, announced that a Federal Government entourage would be going to Rio Grande do Sul on Sunday (10) in order to monitor the actions to support the cities affected by the floods. The Minister of Defense, José Mucio Monteiro, and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Admiral Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, will be part of the delegation.
“The Armed Forces are working in the Taquari Valley with troops and logistical support to help with rescues and the most urgent measures. This Sunday, we’ll be on the ground in the worst-hit areas to assess new needs and unite all efforts on behalf of the people of Rio Grande do Sul,” said José Mucio.
Health – In response to a request from the State Health Department, nine military doctors were sent to work in pre-hospital emergency regulation, in coordination with the State Regulation Department (DRE)/Samu.
Internet – To support the agencies operating in the region, the Forces installed internet access devices in the municipalities of Muçum and Roca Sales.