Help Rio Grande do Sul Survive the Flood
Dear all,
This is a call to action!
I am Desirée, originally from Rio Grande do Sul and currently living in The Netherlands.
My home state in Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), including my hometown (Porto Alegre), has been devastated by the worst environmental calamity of its history. Floodings due to torrential rains caused by climate change have left many cities underwater, 700k have been affected in the past 4 days, 66 died and 90k are in shelters (these numbers have and are expected to continue to increase).
Many have lost everything, others including their lives or family members. Babies, the elderly, hospital patients, animals (from pets to large farm animals) are all displaced, missing or dying due to lack of resources available to rescue everyone.
NGOs and volunteers are all gathering and trying to receive, rescue and relocate those survivors who lost everything.
Can you imagine?
Not enough attention is being aĺlocated in the national or international media considering the seriousness of this calamity.
That is why Brazilians from Rio Grande do Sul living abroad, like myself, are trying their best to raise awareness and raise funds to be sent to trustworthy NGOs and volunteers in the region and also avoid donations being misplaced.
Survivors and the local municipalities are counting on donations to buy fuel for rescue boats and helicopters, hygiene supplies, water, mattresses, food, medications, pet and medicine for rescued animals in the next days and weeks and to rebuild what people have lost in the upcoming months.
The rains are expected to continue throughout the week, which means the crisis is far from over!
Please keep in mind that the exchange rate from Euro to the Brazilian local currency is 5x. Meaning that even the smallest of the donations can make a difference.
I can also provide proof of transfer of funds to the NGOs and volunteers (whom I personally know and trust or who are recommended by trusted friends and family) that will be receiving the funds, if needed, for accountability and transparency. The recipients are helping with rescue efforts or providing assistance to victims of the floods (people and animals). Some of the recipients are:
- GRAD (Grupo de Resgate de Animais em Desastre): NGO helping with the rescue of animals (pets, farm and wild animals) and people from the flooded regions.
- GRADBH: branch of GRAD from a different state and currently helping in Rio Grande do Sul
- Grupo Matiz: company Grupo Matiz and volunteers preparing meals to deliver in different shelters
- Campo Bom Pra Cachorro: NGO helping with animal rescues and shelter in the city of Campo Bom
- Associação 101 Viralatas: local NGO working with animals
- Gatos da Corte NH: local NGO working with animals
- Pé de Chulé: NGO helping with the rescue of horses during the floods
- Deise Falci: volunteer helping with rescues
- UNICEF
- Ação Cidadania: NGO helping victims of the floods
- HUMU: NGO specialized in rescue during environmental catastrophes
- Instituto Caramelo: NGO working together with GRAD to continue rescuing and sheltering rescued animals
- Vvolunteers: NGO working with the rescue and support of people and animails in cooperation with the Brazilian Environmental Agency (IBAMA)
- Many volunteers helping with sourcing and transportation of supplies for shelters and other needed goods (medication, fuel...)
I am also adding the links below of some organizations and volunteers active on the ground so you can see for yourself what is happening and how their work is saving lives.
I have also added a link to the government's official donation account in case you prefer to donate directly to them. I am focusing on helping volunteers/NGOs and local campaigns.
Any help will be MUCH appreciated!
(Thankfully my family and close friends are well and safe!)
Thank you for you solidarity!
Organizer
Desireé Brandão
Organizer
The Hague