According to Civil Defense data, more than two million people were affected and 538,245 people were displaced
The floods that devastate Rio Grande do Sul have already affected more than 2 million people in 446 municipalities, and claimed 149 lives. According to Civil Defense, the state still has 112 missing, 806 injured, 538,245 people displaced and 79,494 in shelters. Since the beginning of operations to combat the tragedy, 76,483 people and 11,002 animals have been rescued.
As a result, companies needed to pause operations or adapt their routine. Agencies in Rio Grande do Sul were also affected and, according to the System of Advertising Agencies in Rio Grande do Sul (Sinapro-RS), the sector will suffer a major impact.
“The impact will be high, because we have an infrastructure problem. The main air route in Rio Grande do Sul is Salgado Filho airport, in Porto Alegre, which will not operate for a long period and the difficulty on the highways is also great . Some highways no longer have bridges, because the water destroyed the passage. It is a very critical moment for all agency directors and managers. Many employees and customers were affected”, says Juliano Hennemann, president of Sinapro-RS.
Sinapro-RS intends to carry out research to more accurately understand the current situation of state agencies. “There is still a lack of clarity regarding the agencies’ scenario, which is why we are carrying out a specific survey with a view of the business environment for the tragedy, taking into account different issues”, adds Hennemann.
Gerdau has partially resumed operations with ensuring the necessary safety levels for the resumption of some activities, according to a statement released by the company. The company is offering support to employees and their families, continues to make donations to local communities, in addition to mobilizing the sending of drinking water and helicopters to support logistics and delivery of supplies.
Also according to the note, Gerdau provided space and electricity for the installation of a water treatment plant at the unit in Sapucaia do Sul, in addition to maintaining dialogue with authorities and local bodies to help overcome the impacts.
Lojas Renner had to temporarily close some stores that were directly affected, while others began to operate with reduced staff and hours. According to a company statement, less than 2% of the company’s total units were closed. The distribution centers are not located in the state, so the impact of supplying products from the partner network is immaterial. The Lojas Renner offices in Porto Alegre adopted home office as a priority.
The company adopted welcoming, release and flexible work measures aimed at the team, support for employees who live in affected locations, with free psychological support and financial support with early vacations and the 13th salary, as well as emergency aid for people with relevant losses . In addition, Lojas Renner is directly supporting rescues, making donations and transforming several stores into donation collection points.
Tramontina is still analyzing the situation and trying to predict how it can act during reconstruction. The company states that no factory located in Rio Grande do Sul was affected in terms of infrastructure, but the operation needed to be adapted in light of the tragedy. “We are facing difficulties in receiving raw materials and inputs necessary for production. In Serra Gaúcha, one of the biggest impacts is exactly on the logistics system due to the compromise of roads and urban roads”, says José Paulo Medeiros, director of Tramontina.
The company reported that the Tramontina Cutelaria and Teec factories, both in Carlos Barbosa, are at a standstill with 4,000 employees on collective vacation. The Tramontina Multi and Eletrik factories, also in Carlos Barbosa, and Tramontina Farroupilha and Garibaldi, in the municipalities of the same name, continue to operate.
Multi released 10% of its staff for vacation or home office. The Multi and Farroupilha factories also began to face difficulties in supplying gases, such as hydrogen and nitrogen. The Madeiras unit, in Encruzilhada do Sul, did not suffer any impacts on its production routine. The other units in the South region continue to operate, as they do not depend on transport from the affected locations. The central office, located in Carlos Barbosa, continues with in-person operations, allowing home office for employees who need it.
The Vulcabras research and development unit, located in the city of Parobé, was not directly affected. However, the company stated in a statement that it is constantly monitoring employees and their families, aiming to guarantee the necessary support. The company is making donations and contacting customers to understand how they can support them at this time.
