Secom says it uses a helicopter borrowed from the neighboring country; According to the agency, a plane was refused because it was not considered suitable
The federal government denied this Wednesday (May 8, 2024) the information that it had refused aid from the Uruguayan government to the victims of Rio Grande do Sul. In a statement, it said that a helicopter loaned by the neighboring country is in operation in the State, which has already recorded at least 100 deaths as a result of heavy rains.
Secom (Secretariat of Social Communication) published the position after the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo publish a report with the title “RS asks for help, Uruguay offers speedboats, planes and drones, but the Lula government does not”. Published on Monday (May 7), the text states that the management of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) would have dispensed with the aid.
The text cites an official note from the Ministry of Defense that said that the Joint Military Command “declined” the offer of the Uruguayan plane for “restrictions on runways available for landing in Porto Alegre”. According to the newspaper, the ministry stated that Brazil already had a plane that met transport needs.
After the text was released, Secom prepared a note stating that the news that Brazil had ignored Uruguay’s aid is “false”.
The agency explains that, along with the helicopter, Uruguay also offered a specific model of airplane, but the government’s technical assessment was that the aircraft would not be suitable for the type of operation required and that, for this reason, the conclusion was that there was no need for the equipment.
Read the full note released by Secom this Wednesday (May 8) below:
“The Brazilian government did not refuse the offer of help made by Uruguay for relief operations for victims of the floods in Rio Grande do Sul.
“A helicopter loaned by the neighboring and friendly country is in operation in the state, a very valuable device for helping rescuers. Brazil is grateful to Uruguay for the prompt assistance.
“The news that Brazil would have ignored help from Uruguay or any other country is false, therefore. All offers of assistance are welcome, will be analyzed according to their suitability for the urgency and will be well received.
“Along with the helicopter, Uruguay also offered a specific model of airplane. In this case, the technical assessment was that the device, due to its characteristics, would not be suitable for the type of operation required and the available airport infrastructure.
“Considering that there is already an aircraft in operation in Rio Grande do Sul from the Brazilian fleet with the same functionality as the one offered, the conclusion was that there was no need for this type of aircraft.”
