Help Families Affected by the Floods in Southern Brazil

Help Families Affected by the Historic Floods in Southern Brazil

Hello, my name is Bruno Gazzo. I used to live in the Rio Grande do Sul region in southern Brazil, which has recently been devastated by the worst flooding in 80 years. This catastrophic event has claimed at least 149 lives , injured hundreds, and displaced nearly 900,000 people. Over 150,000 people have been left homeless, and the region continues to suffer as the rains persist.

My own family has been severely impacted. My grandmother, aunt, and uncle all lost their homes and are now living with my parents, who have to walk three blocks to access clean water. However, my primary concern and the reason for this fundraiser are the countless other families who have lost everything and are now seeking refuge in churches and warehouses.

These makeshift shelters are being supported by volunteers providing essential aid. The situation is dire, and as the temperatures drop—forecasted to be as low as 6°C in Porto Alegre and Canoas—these vulnerable individuals are in desperate need of our help.

To put this disaster in perspective, the flooding has affected an area of approximately 3,800 square kilometers, significantly larger than the 2,400 square kilometers affected by Hurricane Katrina Katrina's recovery took over 10 years, and we can expect a similar, if not longer, recovery period for Rio Grande do Sul.

The flooding began earlier this month and has continued to wreak havoc, leaving many without basic necessities for weeks. Stories of heroism have emerged, such as a man who rescued nine cats and a dog from his submerged hom e, highlighting both the dire situation and the resilience of the affected communities.

I have personal friends who I trust and who are directly assisting these people with supplies. Your donation will be reasonably divided between volunteers supplying water, food, clothes and blankets, also part of the donation will go to families who are currently feeding the brave rescuers who are still reallocating people into shelters. Funds will be used to provide essential supplies and support long-term recovery efforts for the affected communities.

Thank you for your generosity and support during this critical time. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Bruno Gazzo