Updated March 19, 2021
U.S. Government
The U.S. government has announced assistance to mitigate the health and socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19, totaling over US $ 19.7 million (approximately R$ 100 million). These funds include:
- In June 2020, the “Inspire” (Inhale) emergency pulmonar ventilator, low-cost and patent-free, was developed by a team at USP’s Polytechnic School, with the support of the U.S. Government, who donated almost US$200 thousand for initial research. Now the Brazilian Navy prepares itself to produce the equipment that will be donated to hospitals in São Paulo to assist COVID-19 patients.
- On May 29, 2020, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced US $ 6 million in humanitarian assistance to Brazil for emergency activities in health, water, sanitation, and hygiene and to mitigate the health impacts of COVID-19 in Brazil.
- On May 27, 2020, the U.S. Southern Command of the Department of Defense announced a donation of US $ 45,000 in personal protection equipment for medical personnel and food in Manaus and the Amazon region.
- On May 20, 2020, USAID provided US $ 2 million in support to vulnerable communities, with a focus on the Amazon region, to prevent transmission, support treatment and help mitigate health impacts of the virus. The State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) also provided US $ 4.8 million in support for Venezuelan migrants and refugees and host communities in Brazil.
- On May 19, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided US $ 3 million in funding for strengthening case detection, contact tracing, the identification of areas of transmission, the control of outbreaks and data reporting and analysis.
- On May 1st, 2020, USAID provided US $ 950,000 in economic support funds to incentivize private sector investments in mitigating non-health COVID impacts on vulnerable rural and vulnerable urban populations in Brazil.
- In May 2020, the United States also gave small grants totaling R$ 75,000 to 40 projects led by alumni of USG exchange programs to tackle the virus in their communities. Projects include combating disinformation on COVID-19 and addressing domestic violence during times of quarantine.
- In addition to funding initiatives in Brazil, the U.S. government delivered 1,000 ventilators to the people of Brazil and has already delivered 2 million doses of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to make it available to medical professionals for prophylactic use and for those infected as a therapeutic treatment. See this Joint Statement.
- The United States and Brazil will remain in close coordination in the shared fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing regional response to safeguard public health, further limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, advance the early development of a vaccine, and save lives.
U.S. Private Sector
- The U.S. private sector in Brazil has also actively assisted Brazil through a series of initiatives totaling over US$ 57 million (approximately R$ 315 million).
- The U.S. Embassy and Consulates have worked through strategic partnerships with the American Chamber of Commerce and the +Unidos Group to help coordinate and channel these initiatives to assist those who most need the assistance.
- These initiatives will also mobilize private sector resources and will include low interest micro-credits to help small businesses to maintain operations and jobs over the coming year, and training for employment that help families maintain their incomes.
- In addition to quantifiable donations announced by 40 of the 70 U.S. companies surveyed by the U.S. Mission, others disclosed actions without specifying monetary value, such as changing the production line, donation of licenses, credits, products, training and expertise to support Brazilians during the pandemic.
- Four hundred of the five hundred largest companies in the United States are in Brazil, many for several decades, sharing and developing solutions for Brazil and for the world.
- For the full list of companies and initiatives visit the websites of the U.S. Embassy, Amcham and +Unidos Group, as well as our Fact Sheet: What the U.S. Private Sector is Doing on COVID-19.
