Agro and Communities Unite Against Yellow Fever

Action continues with a series of initiatives promoted by the Business, which has previously participated in campaigns to prevent H1N1 and dengue fever

Odebrecht Agroindustrial is taking an educational approach with students from schools in Brilhante, Mato Grosso do Sul, to raise awareness about how to combat yellow fever. The initiative, with actions that reach residents of the municipality where the Eldorado Center is located, has rekindled the debate about how companies can make a difference in the communities in which they are present.

Brazil is having the worst outbreck of yellow fever since the Ministry of Health’s oldest records dating back to 1980, and it has spread, causing people to flood vaccination clinics. The prevalence of the disease is greater in the rural and forested zones, where the wild mosquito first bites infected monkeys and then humans – transforming them into an accidental host. In 2017, there were 424 cases and 137 deaths reported throughout the country (data updated on March 15). Mato Grosso do Sul is located inside the zone of risk defined by the Ministry of Health.

Multiplying Agents

But how does the Agro initiative work? The children benefitted by the Broto de Gente (“Blooming People”) Association, supported by the Eldorado Center, are visiting the state and municipal schools and offering students a theater performance that demonstrates the precautions families should take to avoid the disease. “We believe in these children as multiplying agents who can take this information into their homes and to their friends,” said Pedro Costa, responsible for People and Administration at the center. Ten schools have been visited until today, involving the participation of 1,000 children.

On March 18, the Eldorado Center also organized a walk called “Together for the Community.” More than 130 participants visited homes and handed out pamphlets in Deodápolis and Ipezal, cities located near the unit. On April 20, the same action was promoted in Glória de Dourados to reinforce the awareness raising efforts.

This is the third time that the Eldorado Center has mobilized its members and local residents through “Together for the Community.” Last year, dengue fever and H1N1 were also the themes of similar actions.

About Broto de Gente (“Blooming People”)

Located in Deodápolis, Broto de Gente Association is a social project that has been supported by the Eldorado Center. The program goal is to reduce the vulnerability of children and adolescents during their extra-curricular time through activities that promote cognitive, psychological and pedagogical development. Since its creation, the project has benefitted over 2,600 children and adolescents between ages 6-15.