The Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul is suffering from what authorities are calling the worst disaster in the state’s history as result of unprecedented flooding. The floods which followed heavy rains beginning in late April have affected over 2.3 million people and have displaced more than 620,000.
Brazilian Red Cross volunteers from neighboring regions of Caxias do Sul, Sao Leopoldo, Santa Rosa, Santa Maria and Rio Grande have been working tirelessly to deliver first aid, relief supplies and psychological support to the affected populations. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has mobilized 23 Rapid Response Team members, including four specialists from the American Red Cross to help manage relief operations, communications and information management.
“In the immediate term, we will focus on caring for the physical and mental health of the most vulnerable people, ensuring that they have access to water – including information and means for carrying out household water disinfection- and distributing cleaning and hygiene articles, blankets, solar lamps and advice on disease prevention” said Daniel Bolanos, IFRC head of the Southern Cone Delegation.
Collection centers have been established to facilitate collection and distribution of essential items and two IFRC flights have been dispatched carrying over 20 tons of relief supplies from warehouses in Panama and Argentina. In addition, a water and sanitation technical team has also deployed to promote hygiene initiatives as the standing floodwater and dropping temperatures pose a significant health risk.
The IFRC issued an emergency appeal for CHF 8,000,000 to scale up immediate response efforts and help mitigate the impact on health in communities for the next 12 months. Vulnerable populations, including single-parent families with children under five, elderly adults, people with disabilities, indigenous communities and those living in rural areas, are in particular need of assistance.
Damage assessments and needs analysis are underway across 160 municipalities. As of May 22, 90% of the state’s municipalities report flooding impacts, with 85 people missing and 161 dead. In addition, 1,000 schools and 140 hospitals across the state have reported flood-related impacts, with at least 11 hospitals closed due to flooding.
"Recovery from the floods will take at least a year, and the Red Cross is ready to coordinate with the affected communities themselves on what needs to be prioritized and how to address them along time," Bolanos added.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
