Our Response to COVID-19
We are in a critical moment of global crisis due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The world is mobilizing to contain the spread of the pandemic, while searching for ways to mitigate the economic and public health damage that it will cause. We express our appreciation for all who are dedicated to helping others in this difficult time.
To help contain the outbreak, it is very important that we follow the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations. From our 20 years of experience working in Brazil, and our understanding of Brazil’s profound social inequality, we know that a great number of people will be unable to prevent the spread of COVID-19 — due to lack of access to water and hygiene products, dense or inadequate housing conditions, or the impossibility of sheltering in place due to financial necessity.
This is an unprecedented emergency. Now is the time to act. And it is our duty to respond in a quick, effective manner in collaboration with those on the front lines. Our commitment to social transformation in Brazil is fundamental in our response to this crisis.
BrazilFoundation em Ação – Juntos contra a COVID-19
(BrazilFoundation in Action – Together Against COVID-19)
We have launched an emergency global fundraising campaign to help combat the effects of COVID-19 in Brazil. With your donation, we plan to support philanthropic organizations that will expand front-line care and invest in long-term solutions to prevent future pandemics in Brazil.
We are also taking the following measures to guarantee the safety of our network – our donors, partners, grantees and team:
COVID-19 information: Access to facts is crucial right now. We will share information regularly from official health agencies and trustworthy sources on our website and social media. Brazil’s Ministry of Health has gathered comprehensive information on the situation here: coronavirus.saude.gov.br. Here are guidelines to stay safe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQCnF1yY7Uc
Changes to our Annual Project Selection processes: As we are in the middle of our 2020 Project Selection process, we are reconsidering our timeline for the evaluation of proposals. All site visits for organizations selected for the second round of evaluations have been cancelled. We will continue the selection process using virtual methods. Transparency and credibility will continue to be fundamental factors in BrazilFoundation’s selection process;
Current grantees: We will support grantee organizations should they need to change their project timelines. The leaders of each project should contact the monitoring team if they have any questions or need for modifications;
All events postponed: All planned fundraising events for the first semester are postponed. We will announce the new dates as soon as we have information. In the meantime, we are exploring other ways to connect with our community;
All trips cancelled: All scheduled meetings and trips (national and international) for the team and project leaders have been cancelled;
Team safety: The entire BrazilFoundation team is working from home and receiving guidance on official safety measures so that we can stay healthy and remain dedicated to our mission of contributing to social transformation in Brazil;
We are more dedicated than ever to leveraging international and national philanthropic support to build a safer, stronger Brazil. Please join us in this effort by donating today and in the months ahead to the “BrazilFoundation em Ação – Juntos contra a COVID-19” campaign.
We hope that the entire BrazilFoundation community – and all of society – is well and taking the necessary measures to stay safe and healthy. We are open to your suggestions and ideas for collaboration as we confront this crisis together.
With very best wishes,
Rebecca R. Tavares, Ed.D.
President & CEO
BrazilFoundation
