BRAZIL: Medical volunteers to serve
UniSalesiano medical students to work in emergency health services after flooding
BRAZIL
(MissionNewswire) In response to the devastating flooding that has impacted Brazil, UniSalesiano, the Salesian University in Araçatuba, sent 37 volunteers to work in emergency health services in the Rio Grande do Sul, the state affected by the natural disaster. The group is being housed in the Salesian House in Porto Alegre.
Among the volunteers are doctors, nurses, a veterinarian, a psychologist, final year nursing students and medical students with qualifications in advanced cardiovascular life support. The group will serve under the coordination of Dr. Ângelo Jacomossi, professor of medicine at the university.
Prof. André Ornellas, the vice-rector for teaching, research and postgraduate studies, said, “We exist to train professionals ready to work. So, thinking about the current reality in Rio Grande do Sul, we believed we had to do more than collect food. We will give these professionals some time to help the community that suffers the most.”
Work of the volunteers includes analyzing the epidemiological diseases, advising the health professionals on the possible dangers of contamination by various diseases and providing psychological support to the group. In addition, psychology professors and the final year students of this course will work online with people who need support in the south.
Dr. Antônio Poletto, coordinator of the university’s medicine course, stressed that assistance in catastrophic situations is a fundamental humanitarian obligation of Salesians. He said, “It is our responsibility not only to recognize, but also to act on this humanitarian commitment.”
Fr. Paulo Vendrame, rector of the university, stressed that the solidarity shown by the Brazilian people during this calamity is heartening “We are finding in young university students an echo that is something that makes our university institution and all of humanity proud. I congratulate our educators and those who responded to this call to volunteer, taking care of the most precious thing we have — life.”
Salesian missionaries have responded with aid following the disastrous floods that have hit the State of Rio Grande do Sul. It is the worst flooding in the region since 1941. The most affected area is in Porto Alegre, Capital of Rio Grande do Sul, where in some locations nearly 6 inches of rain fell in 24 hours, an amount typical for the entire month of April. Heavy rains caused river flooding and landslides, impacting the local population.
Reports indicate that more than 150 people have died, scores other are missing and injured and more than 600,000 have been left displaced. More than 1.3 million of the total 11.4 million inhabitants suffered damage due to the bad weather wave that affected 497 municipalities.
###
Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
Salesian Missions – Brazil
World Bank – Brazil
