Looking to Help Rio Favelas Mitigate the Effects of Covid-19? There Are Many Ways To Help

With the arrival of Covid-19 in Rio de Janeiro, building awareness and actions to mitigate the risks that the disease poses to the health and economy of the favelas is essential. To lower these risks, countless community organizations and collectives, all in a state of alert, have launched donation campaigns dedicated to strengthening prevention measures and supporting favela residents. These are organizations that have worked tirelessly in their territories for years, fostering learning, support, and solutions.

How can residents take preventative measures without proper sanitation, regular access to running water, or funds to buy hand sanitizer? How can effective quarantine measures be practiced among residents who are not in a position to forego work out of the house?

Community organizations from myriad favelas have set up virtual platforms in order to receive physical donations of foodstuffs and hygiene products, monetary donations for the purchase of these products, and resources to support information campaigns. The number of campaigns that have arisen in a matter of days, all dedicated to mitigating the impacts of Covid-19 in the favelas, stands as a testament both to the severity of the situation and the efficiency and organization of Rio de Janeiro communities. These solutions come from the favelas themselves and thus guarantee direct, dynamic, and effective responses to local needs.

Click here to access the full list of favela-based relief campaigns, researched with great care. Please choose at least one organization to support. For international donors, Catalytic Communities has established an English-language fundraising page available here where you can get a tax exemption for contributing. To have your contribution earmarked to a specific community group below please type their name in the “Additional Information” box on the fundraising page.