The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) solidarity van arrived Thursday, February 23, in the region affected by the storm that devastated the northern coast of São Paulo, Brazil, over the weekend. The mobile unit has the capacity to prepare 4,500 meals per day, wash up to 500 kilograms of clothes, and provide psychological assistance to the community.

São Sebastião, Caraguatatuba, Guarujá, Bertioga, Ilhabela, and Ubatuba, the municipalities most affected by the weather situation, have been in a state of public calamity. As a result of the persistent rains, there have been floods, landslides, and mudslides, which have affected the water and power supply and blocked roads.

In the last six years, more than 40 Brazilian cities have been served by the solidarity van. During this period, it has served more than 110,000 meals and washed 150 tons of clothes.

The coordinator of the mobile unit, Cristiane Maximiano, remembers that victims of tragedies like the one in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, and people affected by landslides in São Paulo and Petrópolis were assisted and provided support in the fight against the coronavirus. "One of the experiences that [impressed] me the most was the assistance we did in Brumadinho. Due to the size of the disaster and the mobilization of volunteers, I lived an experience that changed my way of thinking and feeling," Maximiano emphasizes with emotion.

Initially, during its stay in São Paulo, the truck served well over 1,000 meals a day: some, simple, such as soup; others, complete, with rice, beans, and protein.

Structure

The adapted truck, with 45 square meters of usable area, is divided into three compartments, as referenced above: the first is used for the preparation of hot food; the second, for washing and drying clothes; and the third, for psychological support.

ADRA has made a PIX account available for donations in order to raise funds that will be entirely designated to help the victims of the storm that affected the northern coast of São Paulo. To support this cause, email [email protected].

The original version of this story was published on the South American Division Portuguese-language news site.