I've started this fundraiser to support our Brazilian colleague, Cristina dos Santos, who has recently travelled to her home town on vacation.

You no doubt have seen coverage of the devastating floods in the southern region of Brazil. Cristina's family has been affected and they had to evacuate their home, which is now completely flooded. Fortunately, Cristina made a timely decision to move her family and neighbors to her sister's house, which was not fully affected by the flood. However, the devastation in the city has left them without water, and I've been following the daily struggles they are facing to ensure basic needs are met.

I can't help but think that it is such a blessing that Cristina is there at exactly this time to support her parents. In their mid 80s, they've now lost everything they've owned in their house, and they are not sure when/if they'll be able to return to live in the home they were for 60 years.

While Cristina is currently thinking about daily basic needs for her and her family, I'm appealing to those who know her and/or feel compelled to help in some way. The money raised will support them with immediate needs, as well as with recovery, which I'm sure is going to take a long time. While there, Cristina is not only helping her immediate family, but also friends and neighbors who have no other place to go. She is witnessing first hand the solidarity of those around her, and also the strength one finds in community. The following are the needs that your donations will help to fulfill in her neighborhood:

Phase 1 (now):

Phase 2 - rebuild / furnish homes:

Below are some pictures of Cris and her family, as well as pictures from the neighborhood where her parents were living. At the moment they can't get to the house, except through boat. They are also unable to go to other parts of the city, due to the danger of other structures collapsing.

Thank you for your kind help!