Vaccine, medical care: what the first day in Brazil was like for those repatriated from Gaza

Brazilians and family members repatriated from the Gaza Strip spent their first day on Brazilian soil this Tuesday (14). The repatriates stayed in accommodation at the Air Base, where they received care from social, medical and psychological workers.

The repatriates spent the day at the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) Transit Hotel, which is located inside the Brasília Air Base.

They were allocated ten rooms, equipped with beds, television and provided with food. In addition, they were also able to use an external area to, little by little, resume their routine on Brazilian soil.

To allow Palestinians and Brazilians rescued from the war to participate in government social programs, 10 Individual Taxpayer Registrations (CPF) were issued. In addition to all the support from healthcare professionals, the returnees were also vaccinated.

Feeling of relief

Shahed Al-Albanna, one of the people who was rescued from the Gaza Strip, reports that, when he arrived in Brazil, the feeling was one of relief. “Now I’m in Brazil, everything is fine, I can stay calm and safe”, reported the young woman.

Even though she is safe on Brazilian soil, Shahed shows concern for the people who remained in the conflict zone. “I’m thinking now about the rest of the Brazilians and my family who are still in the Gaza Strip. Only when they leave will I be able to think about my future and share my happiness with them”, says the girl.

On Wednesday (15), the group must leave the federal capital. Two people go to Florianópolis. The other 26 will go to São Paulo on a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) plane, with 14 of them staying in a shelter inside the capital. According to the government, the shelters were already supervised by the Ministry of Justice.

The National Secretary of Justice, Augusto Arruda Botelho, guaranteed that the government will closely monitor the people who will be taken to the shelter. “The Ministry of Justice and all the ministries that are part of this task force will monitor every step of this group. This entire journey will be accompanied by technicians from the Ministry of Health and international UN agencies”, stated Botelho.

They arrived at the Air Base in the federal capital on Monday night (13). President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) went to the location to welcome the citizens, who waited more than three weeks before obtaining authorization to leave the enclave affected by the war between Israel and Hamas.

Second list

One day after the arrival of the 32 Brazilians and Palestinians in Brazil, Itamaraty is already beginning to plan the attempt to repatriate a second group, of around 40 people. This group includes Brazilians and some of their Palestinian relatives. The first contacts with authorities in conflict areas will seek information on whether it will be possible to accept new repatriation requests.

The diplomatic team also began planning the next steps to “guide well” the embassies involved in the negotiations. According to government sources, it is first necessary to know whether new requests will be accepted; Then, confirmation of the list begins and then the document can be sent to the authorities.

The list of new names has not yet been delivered to Itamaraty.

Itamaraty members reported to the analyst at CNN Jussara Soares that a new repatriation of Brazilians and family members in the Gaza Strip will not be easy or quick. Diplomatic sources also say that, of the 7,000 foreigners in Gaza, only half have left the conflict area in the last two weeks.