The Brazilian Air Force (FAB), in an ongoing demonstration of Brazil’s humanitarian commitment, continues to play a pivotal role in delivering aid and repatriating citizens affected by the crisis in Lebanon. On October 26, FAB transported 16.8 tons of essential supplies, including 400,000 vials of midazolam donated by Brazil’s Ministry of Health for critical medical procedures. In addition, basic food supplies and other medications, coordinated by the Embassy of Lebanon in Brasília and the Association Unidos pelo Líbano (UpL), were loaded on the KC-30, marking the ninth humanitarian flight under the “Raízes do Cedro” initiative.
This humanitarian aid mission, managed by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) with support from the Ministries of Health and Defense, has now reached over 85 tons in supplies sent to Lebanon, carefully allocated to ensure that domestic healthcare resources remain unaffected. The “Raízes do Cedro” operation, initiated to assist Lebanon amidst escalating regional tensions, has surpassed a major milestone with the safe return of 1,638 Brazilians and 19 pets in just 18 days.
Just a day before this latest flight, on October 25, the KC-30 landed at the São Paulo Air Base (BASP) with 239 repatriated citizens, bringing hope to families seeking a new beginning away from conflict. “This is the largest repatriation in the history of the Brazilian Air Force,” noted Lieutenant Colonel Aviator Marcos Fassarella Olivieri, Commander of the Corsário Squadron, which has flown over 200 hours and traversed more than 180,000 kilometers in this operation – the equivalent of circling the globe 4.5 times.
Coordinated by the Comando de Operações Aeroespaciais (COMAE), the FAB’s efforts have extended to deploying the KC-390 Millennium for additional missions, underscoring Brazil’s commitment to humanitarian support and citizen safety in challenging international landscapes. The “Raízes do Cedro” operation continues to highlight the Brazilian Air Force’s operational reach, professionalism, and dedication to supporting both humanitarian and repatriation efforts abroad.
