Rebuilding bridges and communities
When faced with challenges, a community united and Smurfit Kappa Bento played its part in rebuilding an important bridge in the Brazilian town of Nova Roma do Sul.
On September 4, 2023, the historic New Roma iron bridge, which had stood over the Antas river for more than a century, fell victim to flooding. This massively impacted the community who saw a 45% drop in traffic to the town and causing economic upheaval in the southern region.
In response to the crisis, a group of companies, including Smurfit Kappa Bento, united to establish the Association for Bridge Reconstruction. Understanding the significance of rebuilding beyond just a structure, Smurfit Kappa Bento played a proactive role in supporting the Association by donating $20,000.
In Nova Roma, over 1,150 hectares are used for grape cultivation, with 85% of the harvest sent to nearby wineries via the bridge, benefiting local families and the economy. Some of the wineries affected were customers of Smurfit Kappa Bento.
The implications extended beyond commerce; the absence of the bridge created significant challenges in healthcare access. The hospital in the neighbouring town of Farroupilha, once a 40-minute journey away, became a daunting two-hour endeavour.
In just 138 days, the community project raised the requires funds and reconstructed the bridge. This amazing accomplishment was achieved by the solidarity of the 3500 residents of Nova Roma do Sul and the support of local businesses such as Smurfit Kappa Bento.
The reconstructed bridge has not only reconnected the towns Nova Roma do Sul and Farroupilha, it has become a symbol of hope and community resilience.
Mariana Lamperti, General Manager of Smurfit Kappa Bento Gonçalves, attended the opening ceremony and commented, "Smurfit Kappa has a deep commitment to supporting the communities in which we live and work, and we are proud to have supported the Association for Bridge Reconstruction".
Smurfit Kappa has a deep commitment commitment to supporting the communities in which we live and work and advocating for the vulnerable. Each year, our employees generously give their time, energy, and expertise to empower communities, promote wellbeing, inspire future generations, and protect our planet.