- G
- N
I am Giseli Boff, Brazilian, born and raised in Vicentina neighborhood, Sao Leopoldo in the state of Rio Grande Sul, Brazil, living in the UK, Bedfordshire County. With lots of sadness and broken heart I share about climate disaster causing heavy rains which caused widespread flooding in the southern of Brazil have left hundreds of towns under water.
Close to 100 people died by now in the floods and about 500,000 in the State have been displaced from their homes.
The unprivileged neighborhood, Vila Maria/Vicentina/Paim, in Sao Leopoldo, where I grew up is fully immerse. Not only family, but lots of friends lost their only home.
Some towns remain isolated and hopes of finding the more than 100 people who are still missing are dwindling.
Further heavy rains forecast for this week are expected to further exacerbate the situation in the region.
Many families had to leave their homes, with some of the most vulnerable people evacuated by rescue workers. Lots of people are in shelters surviving with donations from NGOs and civil people, like me.
Thousands with no access to potable water, bringing health risks.
This fund aim to support people from Vila Maria, Vicentina, Paim and Mathias Velho neighborhood (the poorest ones), in 2 moments:
1 - While they are still in shelters or family/friends' houses, proving what is not covered by government and current donations. We are buying: water, food, basic hygiene items, milk and diapers for the newborns.
2 -When they come back to their homes, to provide the basics to try to rebuild their lives, such as food, cleaning material and construction item.
Despite having others bigger funding running around, due to bureaucracy and extension of the State, money and resources are not arriving fast and uniformly. Our actions are towards a specific public which is not receiving enough resources yet.
Rest assure I will keep posting here reports of how the money have been spent. Invoices will be added here in order to bring transparency.
Thank you for your kindness and contribution. Those people need my help and your help.
Updates: we have been helping families to survive in the first week with the basics. Next to help them on cleaning up and rebuilding homes.
More information about the situation is also available in the Guardian and also on some influent people Instagram profile:
BBC: River levels rise in flood-hit Brazilian state
The Guardian: Flooding in Brazil Then and Now in Pictures
The Guardian video:
Alisson Becker's speech, Liverpool FC
Organizer
