Havan started, on Saturday, the 4th, a campaign, through Troco Solidário, in favor of families affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul. All amounts raised in the month of May will be allocated to the state of Rio Grande do Sul. In just two days, Havan customers donated more than R$1 million. Donations can be made at any of the 176 Havan megastores throughout Brazil.
In addition to Troco Solidário, Havan also made the company’s two helicopters available to assist in Rio Grande do Sul. They have been in the state since Thursday, 2. Along with the helicopters are: four pilots, a mechanic and a rescue volunteer.
As of this Monday morning, the 6th, more than 300 landings and takeoffs had already been carried out, transporting 23 patients for hemodialysis and 12 doctors to treat patients. More than ten tons of food and water were transported and more than a thousand lunch boxes distributed.
Three support flights for electrical and water companies were also carried out to check damage and reestablish supply, in addition to transporting several police and fire troops, transporting important medicines to isolated people who were in need and transporting hemodialysis medicine coming from the capital to Lajeado.
Havan also provided support for the operation to remove the bodies of a family of five who died buried. Operations have been carried out since Thursday, being the first civil aircraft to arrive in the state and landing in support in at least ten different cities.
Megastores hit
Havan had two megastores flooded, in Lajeado and Porto Alegre, with the one in Lajeado being completely destroyed, resulting in a loss of between R$20 and R$30 million. In Porto Alegre, the water reached the first floor, where the food court, bathrooms and parking lots are located. Cars that were at the scene were submerged.
During a visit to the Lajeado store, on Saturday, the 4th, businessman Luciano Hang assured employees that all jobs will be maintained. “We will also bring forward the PPR (Profit Sharing Program) and 13th for employees from seven cities where we have stores and were affected by floods, which are the municipalities of Santa Maria, Santa Cruz do Sul, Lajeado, Canela, Porto Alegre, Guaíba and Caxias do Sul”, highlights the owner of Havan.
In the Lajeado store, some products that were in the highest part remained intact. They will be donated to entities in the municipality so that they can distribute them to the people who need them most at the moment.
Aid to the Army
Since the weekend, the Havan de Guaíba parking lot has been a collection point for donated supplies, where helicopters are landing at the location to load them and take them to the affected cities.
This Monday, the 6th, the Army also began setting up a hospital in the Havan de Guaíba parking lot to serve the population.
“We are concentrating our efforts to help our brothers from Rio Grande do Sul. We are aware of everything that is happening in the state. I was there on Saturday and saw the war scenario that it is. As a citizen, I couldn’t help but help. Yes, we had losses, but nothing compared to what people are experiencing. There are houses and cars destroyed, but, most importantly, lives lost”, highlights Hang.
