Fight against COVID-19: Alumar Consortium in Brazil propels efforts for employees and community

When the world is expecting a vaccine to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Alumar continues to work towards ensuring of health and safety of its employees, suppliers and the community. With its resources or through its consortium members, Alcoa, South 32 and Rio Tinto, the Alumar Consortium has already allocated R $ 1.3 million in humanitarian aid to restrict the spread of the disease in the state.

The emergency support started in March’20, with the donation to the Government of Maranhão for around R$ 500,000 for the purchase of respirators and N95 masks, destined for public hospitals. Together with the Alcoa Institute, Alumar coordinated the donation of R$ 200,000 in thermometers, masks, glasses and facial protectors to the University Hospital (HU-UFMA). In partnership with the Alcoa Foundation, R$ 241,000 was donated towards purchase equipment for the Women's Hospital. A further R$ 74,000 was invested in the participation of the respirator maintenance project, in partnership with FIEMA, and an additional R$ 266,000 in donations of hospital materials and equipment to the UPA 24h in the countryside.

Helder Teixeira, Director, Alumar “The moment is one of solidarity and effectiveness to actions that can contribute to the treatment, prevention, security and livelihood of those who need it most. Alumar's historic commitment has always been and will continue to be to put people first.”

Humanitarian actions were extended to communities neighbouring Alumar, through the Mutual Help Network - an organization that brings together companies and public institutions operating in the BR 135 / MA region, to develop activities in the areas of Social Responsibility, Environment and Safety.

Also committed to preserving the health of all employees, suppliers and communities, Consortium implemented a series of measures to protect both those who need access to the factory and the people who are currently carrying out their activities at home. Among them is the limitation to the entrance of visitors; total restriction of business trips even within Brazil; postponement or cancellation of meetings and events; campaigns for adherence to hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette; distribution of masks to employees and measures to maintain social distance. Besides, everyone needs to go through the temperature check and respond to a checklist attesting to be free of any symptoms related to COVID-19.

The Maranhão Aluminum Consortium - Alumar is one of the largest industrial complexes for the production of alumina in the world.

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