The Ministry of Defense (MD), represented by a delegation of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces (EMCFA), is accompanying the integrated work of emergency assistance in health, logistics and donation of supplies to the Yanomami communities in Roraima. The goal is to support the population’s response to the social and health crisis. So far, FAB’s actions have resulted in the transportation of more than 32.6 tons of food and medicine, 1,922 food baskets, and 36 aeromedical evacuations.
The Army acts through the 4th Special Border Platoon, located in Surucucu (RR), of the Roraima Border Command and the 7th Jungle Infantry Battalion, of the Amazon Military Command. The mission started on the 21st with logistical and health services and the distribution of basic food baskets. The action is carried out jointly by the Forces.
Defense – The Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces, Fleet Admiral Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, landed in Boa Vista on Wednesday (25) to monitor the actions. According to him, the Armed Forces have, as inherent characteristics, the readiness to respond and capillarity throughout the Brazilian territory. “As soon as we were activated to support the Yanomami people, we began to use all available resources to fulfill the mission, working day after day, in an integrated manner, using operational means from the Navy, Army, and Air Force,” he said.
The technical visit by the Defense comes after the establishment of the National Coordination Committee to Confront the Unassisted Health Care of the Populations in Yanomami Territory, made official on January 20 by Decree No. 11384, published in the Official Gazette. The interministerial actions were initiated after a public health emergency situation was declared in the region.
During the stay in Boa Vista, the MD will also visit and follow up the work of the Operation Welcome base and shelters.
Text: Edwaldo Costa – Special Advisory of Social Communication (Ascom)
Ministry of Defense (MD) *** Translated by the DEFCONPress FYI team***