After the devastating earthquake in Haiti this week, Brazilians rose to the challenge to help out in the Caribbean country. Brazil already had 1,300 peacekeeping troops stationed there (although at least fourteen soldiers were killed in the quake). Brazil pledged US$15 million in aid, along with 13 tons of food and 17 tons of medicine, water, and equipment. President Lula also sent Defense Minister Nelson Jobim to Port-Au-Prince to assess the situation.

McDonald’s in Latin America pledged to donate R$1 to earthquake victims for every Big Mac purchased through January 22nd, while AmBev, one of Brazil’s largest beer producers, has decided to send 37,000 tons of drinking water to Haiti.

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen donated US$1.5 million to the Red Cross to aid their efforts in Haiti.