Former Brazilian President Michel Temer recounts humanitarian mission to Lebanon during ABCC webinar
Officials from Brazil and Lebanon discuss move to collaborate and explore potential opportunities for the future
Former Brazilian president Michel Temer recounted his recent trip to Beirut, Lebanon to extend humanitarian assistance to victims of the Port of Beirut blast during the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce's (ABCC) 14th webinar session. The latest in a series of virtual meetings organized by the ABCC, and held under the theme ‘Brazil-Lebanon: A Conversation about the Future’.
The former Brazilian president led the humanitarian mission composed of a small entourage of authorities and private sector representatives from the Lebanese-Brazilian community that sought to supply relief to Lebanon. During the visit, Temer and his group were able to deliver around six tons worth of donations and were collected from donations coming from various organizations associated with the Arab and Lebanese communities in Brazil.
“Over 200 possibly killed in the blast, in addition to thousands of people left homeless. And they are in dire need of aid from the world. Humanitarian aid is key, and that besides food and pharmaceuticals, material such as glass and wood is required, since most of the buildings surrounding the Port of Beirut have been destroyed” said Temer.
H.E. Joseph Sayah, Lebanese Ambassador to Brazil, extended his thanks and appreciation for groups that are working to supply relief to Lebanon. He added: “The presence of former president Temer, a son to Lebanese parents, at the Port of Beirut conveyed to the Lebanese people the powerful message that they are not alone, that they have family and siblings in Brazil who share their pain and grief. It was about sentimental and emotional outreach. It was a display of care from the Lebanese-Brazilian community towards their brothers on the other side of the world.”
Rubens Hannun, President, ABCC, spoke about the significance of the creation of the Brazil-Arab countries Parliamentary Group and said that over half of Brazil’s senators and multiple federal deputies are members, which proves how much they value Brazil’s relations with the Arab countries.
Other speakers that participated in the event included Brazil-Lebanon Chamber of Commerce president Alfredo Cotait Neto; Fambras Halal president Mohamed Zoghbi; Instituto Kanoun president Ricardo Maluf; Lebanese-Brazilian Medical Association president Robert Sami Nemer; and Brazil-Lebanon Chamber of Commerce secretary-general Guilherme Mattar. The conversation was moderated by ABCC secretary-general Tamer Mansour.
