The COVID-19 epidemic is a huge threat to the most vulnerable in Rio de Janeiro.

In the absence of government help, Redes da Maré (Mares Network), an NGO created by residents of Mare in 2007, has launched a public health and emergency campaign to assist 140,000 people from 16 favelas in Rio de Janeiro. They live in cramped conditions, with poor water/sanitation services and have no source of income during the lockdown.

Healthcare provision in Maré is so inadequate that the ratio of fatalities to positive tests within the community (as of w.c. 4th May) is 30%. Reducing the spread of the virus is a priority. Redes have launched an emergency campaign to promote messages about hygiene, social distancing and self-isolation to help protect the community.

Alongside this they have made a massive logistical effort to coordinate donations, and identify and support those in the greatest need.

In the first 4 weeks of the campaign:

* 7,272 families received essential food parcels and cleaning/hygiene supplies

* 328 tonnes of items were donated and sorted

* Supplies reached all 16 of the favelas in the Maré complex

* 4,600 meals were supplied to homeless people

* 20,000 people directly benefitted

* 300 staff and volunteers worked incredibly hard to make this happen.

Redes say THANK YOU to all those who have supported their giant network of solidarity so far with donations and encouragement. And they say We can do much more. Lets come together to make a difference to peoples lives in Maré.

People's Palace Projects will forward all donations to Redes da Maré - the only deductions will be for costs of money transfer. The Brazilian real is trading at a little over 7 to £1, so at the time of writing, a donation of R$100 should cost you between £15.50 and £17.

You can find further information on their emergency response, in English, here: http://redesdamare.org.br/en/quemsomos/coronavirus

#SomosTodosMaré

Website: https://redesdamare.org.br/en

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