LATAM group transports modular houses for flood victims in Brazil
Through its 'Solidarity Plane' programme, LATAM group transports modular houses donated by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).;
In response to the emergency caused by floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, LATAM group has started transporting 200 modular houses donated by UNHCR. As part of its 'Solidarity Plane' programme, the Latin American airline has already transported the first shipment of 100 out of 200 emergency houses (also known as Refugee Housing Units). The initial 16-tonne shipment departed from Bogotá and landed in São Paulo on May 28. From São Paulo, these emergency houses will continue their journey by road to the affected area.
The transport of these emergency houses to Brazil results from coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Ports and Airports, and UNHCR, an ally of LATAM's Solidarity Plane programme since April 2022. These mobile structures are intended for the flood victims in Brazil, serving as temporary emergency housing to provide better shelter and greater privacy for the affected families.
The first shipment of modular homes donated by UNHCR in Colombia was transported by LATAM's 'Solidarity Plane' programme and landed at Guarulhos Airport. (Source: UNHCR).
LATAM group's Solidarity Plane programme has transported 142 tonnes of donations, including basic food baskets, water, disposable diapers, and blankets. Since May 4, 2024, the Latin American airline has provided free transportation to southern Brazil for 102 volunteers, such as doctors, nurses, veterinarians, and firefighters. These transports have been carried out on commercial flights to regional airports and special flights to the Canoas Air Base (RS). Donations have come from countries including Portugal and the United States.
The modular house is a mobile shelter solution, the result of a collaborative project carried out by Better Shelter and UNHCR, with the support of the IKEA Foundation (Source: UNHCR).
Emergency housing units are practical and mobile structures with a lifespan of up to five years. These sustainable units, utilised by the UNHCR in various global operations, are made of lightweight steel frames, roof and wall dividers, doors and windows, floor covering, solar power, LED lighting, and an anchoring system. The project is a collaborative effort between UNHCR, Better Shelter, and the IKEA Foundation, aiming to create autonomous, sustainable spaces adaptable to different humanitarian emergency contexts. These units have been deployed in South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.