10K for Rio Grande do Sul

Hi there, I'm Joseph, and I'll be running a 10K race on July 20th to raise funds for the ongoing disaster flooding in Rio Grand do Sul, Brazil. This is an emergency very close to my heart (Rio Grande do Sul is my partner's home state), and the people of the Rio Grande do Sul are in dire need of aid. I will be attempting to complete the race in under 1 hour as a personal challenge, and all donations will be sent to Disaster Aid UK & Ireland to be used for their appeal targeting the flooding (https://disasteraiduk.org).

Please see below for more information on the floods and on Disaster Aid UK & Ireland. Thank you in advance, any donations make a big difference! Additionally I should be able to matched donations up to £500 from my current contract client, Credit Agricole.

Since the beginning of May, devastating floods have swept across the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, following a week of record heavy rains, exacerbated by the collapse of the dams. The flooding and subsequent landslides have affected 397 out of 497 of the states municipalities - 190+ people have died, at least 250 are missing, 561 are injured, and more than 200,000 are homeless. In addition to major flooding and shutdown of capital Porto Alegre, the city of El Dorado has been heavily devastated, and the city of Canoas situation is dire, interviewed front line rescuers are stating the number of deaths are higher than the official number.

There have been serious knock on effects as at least 500,000 people are cut off from clean water and electricity. The cost of losses is estimated to be around $900 million so far, and the floods will have devastating impact on the states agriculture production, around 70% of Brazil’s rice is produced in Rio Grande do Sul. A growing risk of disease is also present due to contaminated water and criminality is at its peak, with cases of robbery and rape. At the moment efforts within the state are focused on rescue by state military and volunteers, and getting people basic supplies. Around 50,000 people are currently residing in shelters having been forced from their homes, and most of these people are now homeless, as their home were taken by the heavy waters. Despite his sympathetic demeanor, state Governor Eduardo Leite has consistently endangered Rio Grande do Sul by ignoring hard climate science. He has rejected proposed contingency plans for exactly this kind of disaster following similar emergencies.

There is a staggering lack of international coverage and spotlighting on this heart-wrenching disaster. The most critical need is for basic supplies to be provided - drinking water, medication, food, and fuel for the ongoing rescue missions.

More information about Disaster Aid UK & Ireland: Disaster Aid UK & Ireland is one of the founding partners of Disaster Aid International (DAI). DAI is an international organisation, involving Rotary Clubs around the world, with the mission to:

Respond to disasters with the supply of humanitarian aid to the affected communities and/or individuals.

Work in partnership on humanitarian projects funded by other organisations including Rotary clubs and Rotary districts.

In contrast to many other disaster-response groups, our aim is also to provide an infrastructure that allows affected communities to regain their normal lives. Disaster Aid UK & Ireland is a Charitable Company (number 5003026), registered with the Charity Commission (registration number 1103165).