On #clapforcarers day our hearts are swelling at this update from our partners @redesdamare in Rio de Janeiro. 
In a favela complex where 140,000 people live in cramped conditions, w poor water/sanitation services & no source of income if they don't go out to work - and in the absence of any government help - Redes launched their public health and emergency support campaign 4 weeks ago.
Redes da Mare have used social media and their extensive networks to promote messages about hygiene, social distancing and self-isolation. Here they are stencilling local walls with key public health information.
In normal times, @redesdamare provide drop-in support services for people who frequent the open drug use scene. The knowledge, understanding and trust they have built with these very vulnerable people are key to communicating public health messages to them too.
Some years ago @redesdamare set up a social enterprise that employs local women to deliver high-end catering for events. For now, they've become a "soup kitchen" providing meals to street homeless and especially vulnerable isolated people.
(That's Dr. Eliana Sousa Silva - Associate of PPP bit.ly/2KtZic8 and Honorary Doctor of Philosophy at @QMUL - leading the Redes da Maré team from the front, as ever. We're v happy that PPP contributions to our partnership projects w Redes have supported these efforts.)
Since 2013, @redesdamare has been working with Brazil's Institute of Statistics to conduct the "Maré Census" compiling reliable population data for the 16 favelas in the Maré Complex. So they know over 10,000 residents are in the 60+ age category.
To make it possible for people with no savings to self-isolate, they've set up a hotline for households to register for deliveries of emergency meals, food parcels and hygiene/cleaning materials. Their team is triaging THOUSANDS of messages.
They're coordinating donations of non-perishable food, mineral water and cleaning and hygiene supplies - and, of course, cash to buy these essential items. paypal.com/donate/?token=…
The arts centres, community centres, women's centres and early years education centres Redes run in normal times have turned into storage and packing warehouses. facebook.com/redesdamare/vi…
In 4 weeks:
* 328 tonnes of items have been donated
* 7,272 families have received essential food parcels and cleaning/hygiene supplies
* They have reached all 16 favelas in Maré
* 4,600 meals have been supplied to homeless people
* 20,000 people have directly benefited.
* 328 tonnes of items have been donated
* 7,272 families have received essential food parcels and cleaning/hygiene supplies
* They have reached all 16 favelas in Maré
* 4,600 meals have been supplied to homeless people
* 20,000 people have directly benefited.
* 300 staff and volunteers have worked incredibly hard to make this happen
and
* @redesdamare has linked and partnered with 21 other community associations in Maré to make sure the work is effective and goes as far as possible.
and
* @redesdamare has linked and partnered with 21 other community associations in Maré to make sure the work is effective and goes as far as possible.
Here's that video link again, in case you missed it a couple of tweets ago. facebook.com/redesdamare/vi…
Redes' reputation and standing is such that they've been able to marshall a network of 40 partner organisations who have donated cash and in-kind support to their efforts.
For full transparency, their website itemises donations to the campaign and all of the actions they've delivered. redesdamare.org.br/br/quemsomos/c…
Their exemplary response to the crisis has been so effective that large organisations in Brazil are hoping to learn from their model to assist favela areas in other major cities, including São Paulo.
This is the kind of work that can't be parachuted in. It comes from 20 years of research, dialogue and work embedded at the heart of a local community: but also an organisation that has made strong connections and partnerships across Brazil and internationally.
Redes say THANK YOU to all those who have supported their giant network of solidarity so far, with donations and encouragement. We at @PeoplesPalaceUK are proud to stand with them.
And they say "WE CAN DO MUCH MORE. LET'S COME TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS INHABITANTS OF MARÉ."
paypal.com/donate/?token=… The real is trading at over R$6 to £1: donation of R$100 should cost you between £15.50 and £17.
paypal.com/donate/?token=… The real is trading at over R$6 to £1: donation of R$100 should cost you between £15.50 and £17.
