Companies have taken a number of steps to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the new coronavirus. These actions range from the free distribution of personal hygiene items to an aid package for suppliers.
Check out some business contributions:
Vale to donate 5 million coronavirus test kits to the government
Vale has purchased 5 million rapid test kits for COVID-19, the new coronavirus, to help the Brazilian government combat the spread of the disease. The tests, which provide results in 15 minutes, were purchased in China. The first shipment (1 million kits) is expected to be delivered by the supplier to Vale in China on March 27, arriving in Brazil early the following week.
“Vale is offering this assistance to Brazilian society at a time when the country is united for the health and safety of its people. We are using our logistics network in Asia to bring to Brazil supplies that can make a difference in people’s lives,” says Eduardo Bartolomeo, CEO of Vale.
The company is also purchasing personal protective equipment, such as gloves and masks, for doctors and nurses from Chinese suppliers. This material will also be sent to the Brazilian government.
Boticário donates 1.7 tons of alcohol gel
O Boticário, through the Boticário Group Institute, will donate 1.7 tons of Cuide-se Bem alcohol gel to the public health system of Curitiba. Cuide-se Bem Alcohol Gel has a concentration of 78% of ethyl alcohol, which eliminates approximately 99.9% of bacteria.
“O Boticário believes that when everyone does their part, the whole becomes stronger,” says Aline Mori, Marketing Director at O Boticário. In addition to the donation, the company seeks to reinforce and raise awareness of other measures to prevent the disease, such as washing hands.
“This is the most recommended recommendation for preventing transmission and can be put into practice countless times a day. It is not only about self-care, but also about practicing love and consideration for everyone around you. This is a time for unity and collective awareness,” says Aline.
Sesc and Senac will make R$1 billion available to combat coronavirus
The National Confederation of Commerce, Services and Tourism Goods (CNC) sent President Jair Bolsonaro an action plan for Senac and Sesc, worth R$1 billion. This amount is intended to help combat the coronavirus and provide services to society over the next three months.
“The Confederation, through Sesc and Senac, is prepared to help the government raise awareness to reduce the impacts of the coronavirus on Brazilian society, as well as to combat the epidemic. We have the structure, reach and personnel, as well as communication channels already open with the communities,” says CNC president José Roberto Tadros.
Vale and the temporary aid package for suppliers
Vale will implement a series of measures to support its suppliers during the coronavirus pandemic. The expectation is that, through these actions, the company will inject around R$160 million into the economy in the coming days. The amount refers to advance payments to small and medium-sized companies.
“At a time when the country is experiencing great uncertainty, we will use our distribution network, presence at the base of the production chain and mobilization capacity to help our suppliers face the impacts of this pandemic, always prioritizing people's health and safety,” says Alexandre Pereira, Executive Director of Business Support.
Natura and Avon donate soaps
Natura and Avon will donate 2.8 million bars and liquid soaps to underprivileged communities in cities surrounding their operations in Brazil and other Latin American countries. In Brazil, part of the donation will go to the most vulnerable populations in São Paulo, Pará and Bahia.
Itaú and the donation of R$150 million to help fight the coronavirus
The amount of R$150 million will come from the Itaú Foundation for Education and Culture and the Unibanco Institute and will be allocated to hospital infrastructure, purchase of medical equipment, food baskets and hygiene kits. The aim is to support vulnerable communities and help contain and treat those infected with the coronavirus.
“Itaú Unibanco is fully aware of the severity of the crisis resulting from the spread of Covid-19 and has been mobilizing its entire structure to support customers, employees and Brazilian society in this challenging context,” he stated in the statement.
Itaú also suspended, for an indefinite period, all unfair dismissals and brought forward the 13th salary.
BNDES releases R$ 55 billion and new FGTS withdrawals will be allowed
The R$ 55 billion, according to Montezano, will be applied on four fronts to help companies in difficulty. The measure will benefit 150 thousand companies, which have 2 million employees.
R$ 20 billion will be transferred from PIS/Pasep to the Severance Indemnity Fund (FGTS). BNDES will also suspend loan collections for six months. R$ 19 billion goes to refinancing direct operations and R$ 11 billion to indirect operations. The fourth measure is the release of R$ 5 billion to expand the credit line aimed at micro, small and medium-sized companies with annual turnover of up to R$ 300 million.
Central Bank and the R$ 1.216 tri package
Central Bank President Roberto Campos Neto reported a R$ 1.216 trillion package, which aims to increase liquidity in the market during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This amount is equivalent to 16.7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and exceeds by almost ten times the R$ 117 billion announced during the global financial crisis, which occurred between 2008 and 2009, and which represented 3.5% of GDP.
The new package includes measures such as the creation of a new Term Deposit with Special Guarantee (DPGE), giving access to investment funds with larger values, worth an estimated R$ 200 billion.
OLX promotes the #QuarentenaDoBem campaign
OLX is running a donation campaign for people most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to provide personal hygiene items; sealed protective products; toys, books and games; used or new clothes and shoes; bed, table and bath linens, among others.
To contribute to the initiative, you must make an announcement as follows: 1st the name of the product and then #quarentenadobem. For example: #quarentenadobem blouse. # must always come after the item. Those interested in donating should go to the website or app olx.com.br and search for “quarantinedwell”, but without #.
The guidance is to arrange delivery of the item for when the quarantine is over.
Nubank and the R$ 20 million fund
Nubank has created a R$ 20 million fund to help its customers during the coronavirus pandemic. Hospital Sírio-Libanês, iFood, Rappi and Zee.Dog signed partnerships with fintech to offer support services.
The “People First” fund will allocate resources to services, such as remote medical care, supermarket and pharmacy orders and delivery. In the partnership, Sírio-Libanês, for example, is providing 1,000 services on its medical teleguidance platform for Nubank customers.
“We go beyond money. We will donate the most precious thing we have: our time and energy to listen to people and help them in any way possible, beyond our financial lives. This is our DNA. Our expectation is to support tens of thousands of people by the end of April”, declares David Vélez, executive president and founder of Nubank.
