The thousands of heroes of Rio Grande do Sul

The hundreds of stories of helplessness, injustice, desperation, which reach people we know and don’t know

You’ve heard of it. Rio Grande do Sul and Porto Alegre are experiencing a climate crisis of biblical proportions, in which all the numbers are gigantic, frightening, superlative. The numerous large rivers that flow into Lago do Guaíba in Porto Alegre have broken centuries-old records, as has Guaíba itself.

The barrier around the city, a remarkable work of engineering that resisted the fury of the waters surrounding the city for 80 years, fought valiantly, but this time gave way, generating an absolutely catastrophic flood that overwhelmed homes, lives and entire neighborhoods.

Here, from below, it is much worse than the news can show. The helicopters flying low, the sirens, the large closed avenues, boat after boat arriving at Usina do Gasologista with people in hypothermia, with empty eyes, in a state of shock. The stories of loss, one after the other, the lack of water in almost the entire city, and electricity in half of it, the boats circulating along the avenues, once full of life, now dark and sad.

In the midst of the chaos, a train of feelings struck almost all of us. First, disbelief. No, it won’t happen, it can’t happen, it’s not possible that this mud monster will continue to reach more and more people, 7 cm per hour, without ever stopping.

Then, the pain. The hundreds of stories of helplessness, injustice, desperation, affecting people we know and don’t know, but with whom we feel united in the midst of tragedy.

And then, the action. Suddenly, in the midst of the rain and disbelief and pain, in the dark and with the roads closed, many of us felt that perhaps we couldn’t do much, but the worst thing to do was nothing. And we get up.

The entire city was hit by an intense wave of energy, solidarity and movement. All the boats, dinghies, jet skis, were positioned on the traditional rivers and on the new ones that have formed in each neighborhood. Hundreds of shelters have been created to serve thousands of people in schools, churches, clubs and professional bodies. The food sorting and reception centers began to have queues to unload tons of everything imaginable.

Each volunteer center began to welcome so many people that in the last two days it was difficult to find places to work. I had to find technicians to develop some urgent applications and we quickly found dozens of amazing people, from all over Brazil, who got to work and delivered within hours.

Some of the city’s best chefs gathered under a bridge, with improvised equipment and stoves, and began cooking with the food that arrived for volunteers and refugees. Almost everyone I know is somewhere right now, doing something, helping someone. With dirty clothes and feet in the mud, with the desire to be useful, with the desire to be people.

Hugging refugees, preparing food, folding clothes and making beds, carrying loads, lunchboxes, mattresses, anything, up and down.

And I’m not even talking about firefighters, doctors, nurses or police officers. I met a doctor in an emergency room who worked 72 hours straight and refused to leave his station.

This is the seventh day of the tragedy in RS, the third day of the tragedy in POA, and we all know it will continue for some time. How much, it doesn’t matter, we look today, today, and tomorrow we will look tomorrow, when the water begins to recede.

This week I will not write about Artificial Intelligence. Sometimes, life gets ahead of us and sets different priorities, such as thanking the thousands of heroes who did not and will not allow this tragedy to bend the knees of a proud and beautiful city, even in the midst of the greatest challenge it has ever faced . never faced.

Alex Winetzki

He is CEO of Woopi and R&D director of the Stefanini Group, of digital solutions.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.