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Alert

 

Brazil

Floods in Teresopolis, Rio de Janeiro

Geneva, 13 April 2012

 

Brief description of the emergency and impact

On the evening of Friday, 06 April, heavy rains hit the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro. This is the same area affected by landslides and floods the last year. The highest rainfall was recorded in the city of Teresopolis. The soil water saturation caused landslides in several neighborhoods of the city, flooding urban and rural areas. The Local Civil Defense reports 5 people died, 315 were injured, and 994 families have lost their houses. In this municipality the early warning system failed, contributing to the level of damages to the population.

Why is an ACT response needed

This community has losing their livelihoods for second time in 15 months. Their previous experience with the official entities is that aid came very slow and gave priority to the main infrastructure and not to the needs of the families. The rural area in the Vargem Grande locality is the most affected and less attended in both events, becoming in the most vulnerable population in these disasters.

National and international response

The national civil defense, under the Ministry of Integration, sent 600 food baskets to help the affected families in the city. 200 staff are planned to help in debris removal in the entire region. An assessment is been conducting by the civil defense. The government refused to send an international alert.

ACT Alliance response

KOINONIA is acting in behalf of the Brazil ACT forum; this week KOINONIA is conducting an assessment with a partner organization and local leaders in order to identify the needs priorities in Vargem Grande locality.

Planned activities

According to the first rapid assessment, 274 families, 1,096 people, need mattresses, blankets, food support and drinking water. KOINONIA has been   working in this region and has the logistical capacity to make assistance through a rapid respond fund.

 

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jean-Daniel Birmele, ACT Chief Finance Officer (jbi@actalliance.org)