The humanitarian campaign “São Paulo for Beirut” collected, between August and September, more than 30 tons of donations for the victims of the explosions in the Port of Beirut, Lebanon. The action was organized by São Paulo’s City Hall, through the International Relations team, in coordination with the main associative and religious leaders of the Lebanese community present in the City of São Paulo, by the General Consulate of Lebanon in São Paulo, and had the support of the Red Cross. Also participating in this initiative were the Association of Lawyers of Lebanese Origin (Kanoun Institute), the Lebanese-Brazilian Medical Association (AMLB), the Brazilian Arab Chamber of Commerce (CCAB), the Brazil-Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, the Mount Lebanon Athletic Club, the Maronite Eparchy of Brazil, the Industries Federation of the State of São Paulo (FIESP), the Federation of Muslim Associations of Brazil (FAMBRAS), the Christian Foundation of the Lebanese Diaspora (FCDL), the Federal Government of Brazil, the Heart Hospital (HCOR), the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital, the Brazilian Mosque, the Embassy of Lebanon in Brazil, the Muslim Beneficent Society (SBM) and the National Islamic Union.
The donations were sent to Beirut by air and ocean freight in the first weeks of September. On Thursday (03), about 60 tons of medicine, hospital supplies and food were shipped to Beirut at the Red Cross headquarters in São Paulo. The event was accompanied by Lebanese religious, political and business representatives. The former President of Brazil, Michel Temer, who leads the Brazilian Movement of Humanitarian Aid to Lebanon, also accompanied the ceremony.
For the Mayor of São Paulo, Bruno Covas, the action is a way to contribute to the Lebanese community during such a tragic moment: "The donations are a manifestation of solidarity of the city of São Paulo to all Lebanese, reinforcing the friendship bonds and respect which is what unites our cities," said the Mayor. "About 5 million Lebanese live in the city of Sao Paulo, we are the largest Lebanese city in Brazil and we are committed to helping Lebanon face this moment," said the Secretary of International Relations, Luiz Alvaro Salles Aguiar de Menezes.
The campaign
Launched on August 8th, the humanitarian campaign collected basic food baskets, medicines and basic necessities at 27 collection points throughout the city of São Paulo. The consolidation of the donations took place at the São Paulo Red Cross Headquarters, using part of the structure created by the "São Paulo City Solidarity Project". In total, 30 tons of donations were received among food, water, facial masks and clothes.
The mobilization strengthened the links of the city of São Paulo with Beirut and Lebanon, from an articulation with the religious, business and political leaders of the municipality. The Lebanese community is part of São Paulo's past and present, therefore the importance of this action to welcome the Lebanese people in a context of vulnerability.
Bilateral relations
The Lebanese community in São Paulo is composed of approximately 5 million people, including immigrants and descendants; throughout the country, there are about 10 million Lebanese, according to Itamaraty data. Besides the strong presence in Brazil, the Lebanese community contributes to the development and prosperity of the city of São Paulo. Commercial relations between the municipality and Lebanon moved 1.9 million dollars last year. Regarding diplomacy, São Paulo and Beirut share a Protocol of Intent that encourages exchange and cooperation between cities in the areas of business, science, urban planning, transportation, education, health, culture, tourism, amongst others.
