Thousands stranded by Brazil floods
Three consecutive weeks of flooding in Brazil have left over 180,000 people homeless. Plan has already begun to coordinate emergency response efforts with the government.
May 11, 2009
Plan has released US$100,000 of emergency aid to urgently assist tens of thousands of people stranded by severe flooding in Brazil.
The funds will be used to deliver immediate assistance to families displaced by floods and mudslides which have ravaged the north of the country following weeks of torrential rain.
Plan has already mobilized teams to provide hundreds of emergency kits including basics such as shelter, food, clothes, cooking utilities, mattresses, bed sheets and medicine to those affected.
State of emergency
The floods are reported to have so far affected over 900,000 Brazilians and left over 180,000 homeless. To date, 17 municipalities have declared a state of emergency.
Information for sponsors
We will contact sponsors directly if we receive any news about individual sponsored children. If you are planning a visit or have any particular concerns around this issue, please contact our Donor Relations staff at 1-800-556-7918.
Plan’s Regional Humanitarian Response Co-Coordinator, Raul Rodriguez, said the floods were the worst seen for some 80 years.
One of the worst hit areas is the state of Maranhao, where Plan has two program units in the capital of Sao Luis and in Codo.
“Local rivers have risen several meters above normal, provoking severe flooding. Roads and bridges have collapsed, riverside communities have been washed away,” said Raul.
“Many people have also lost everything, their homes, their possessions and their livelihoods, in the floods. And this is one of the poorest regions in a poor country so the impact has been severe,” he added.
Rescue efforts
Emergency services said the conditions had hampered rescue efforts and they are reported to have used helicopters, trucks and boats to reach the injured and stranded.
Raul said Plan is already working very closely with government authorities on the ground and was well-placed to make a rapid response. It has also pulled in staff from other regions to assist with the efforts.
One of the main risks now is the threat of disease to thousands living in cramped conditions in schools, sports halls and other public buildings being used as emergency shelters as well as from polluted flood and drinking water.
Donate today to help provide immediate relief to children and families affected by disasters.
Back to top
The funds will be used to deliver immediate assistance to families displaced by floods and mudslides which have ravaged the north of the country following weeks of torrential rain.
Plan has already mobilized teams to provide hundreds of emergency kits including basics such as shelter, food, clothes, cooking utilities, mattresses, bed sheets and medicine to those affected.
State of emergency
The floods are reported to have so far affected over 900,000 Brazilians and left over 180,000 homeless. To date, 17 municipalities have declared a state of emergency.
Information for sponsors
We will contact sponsors directly if we receive any news about individual sponsored children. If you are planning a visit or have any particular concerns around this issue, please contact our Donor Relations staff at 1-800-556-7918.
Plan’s Regional Humanitarian Response Co-Coordinator, Raul Rodriguez, said the floods were the worst seen for some 80 years.
One of the worst hit areas is the state of Maranhao, where Plan has two program units in the capital of Sao Luis and in Codo.
“Local rivers have risen several meters above normal, provoking severe flooding. Roads and bridges have collapsed, riverside communities have been washed away,” said Raul.
“Many people have also lost everything, their homes, their possessions and their livelihoods, in the floods. And this is one of the poorest regions in a poor country so the impact has been severe,” he added.
Rescue efforts
Emergency services said the conditions had hampered rescue efforts and they are reported to have used helicopters, trucks and boats to reach the injured and stranded.
Raul said Plan is already working very closely with government authorities on the ground and was well-placed to make a rapid response. It has also pulled in staff from other regions to assist with the efforts.
One of the main risks now is the threat of disease to thousands living in cramped conditions in schools, sports halls and other public buildings being used as emergency shelters as well as from polluted flood and drinking water.
Donate today to help provide immediate relief to children and families affected by disasters.
Back to top
