Background

In early May 2009, severe flooding in northern Brazil, brought on by torrential rains, killed at least 8 people and forced some 185,000 others to evacuate their homes, mainly to emergency shelters. At least 90,000 people were made homeless.

In order to minimise the suffering of the population, Brazilian Civil Defence Agency sent humanitarian assistance to the region. Military planes ferried food and other supplies such as mattresses, blankets, pillows and mosquito nets to the affected regions.

World Vision's response

World Vision’s rapid response team in Brazil initially assisted families affected by the flooding by evacuating them to public shelters.

World Vision’s relief effort also comprised:

• Working with local Government and civil associations to find safe houses for affected families
• Development staff worked together with other aid agencies and the Brazilian government to distribute essential items such as food, beds, sheets, personal hygiene items, domestic utensils
• World Vision secured 8 government houses to assist in sheltering affected families
• Providing medical services
• Recovering community spaces, houses and productive areas
• Distributing seeds and tools for planting and fishing

Children sponsored by Australians

Two areas where World Vision runs development projects were affected by the floods. However, no sponsored children were reported injured.

Ongoing activities

World Vision has been working in Brazil for 35 years, supporting some 12,685 sponsored children and their communities in long term development programs. Ongoing activities include health promotion and awareness, education, and income generation programs.