Brazil: Severe flooding marks the country's biggest climate disaster to date

20 May 2024

Extreme rains have caused severe flooding in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, with over 2.1 million people affected. More than 600,000 people have been displaced from their homes, with many living in makeshift shelters. 

This is the fourth environmental disaster this region has faced in a year, following flooding in July, September and November 2023. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams are supporting the most vulnerable in the wake of the crisis, but face logistical challenges in reaching some populations most severely affected. 

Brazil

The extreme rainfall and flooding that hit the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul isolated and forced the evacuation of whole cities. Roads were destroyed, bridges were knocked out and the main airport, in the capital city of Porto Alegre, is indefinitely closed. © MSF/Marine Henrio 

The extreme rainfall and flooding that hit the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has isolated and forced the evacuation of whole cities. Roads have been destroyed, bridges knocked out, and the main airport, in the capital city of Porto Alegre, is indefinitely closed. More than 460 of the state's 497 municipalities have been affected.

Above all is the irreparable human toll: more than 2 million people have been impacted and over 600,000 have been displaced. According to provisional data, more than 150 people have died and about 100 are still unaccounted for. Many people are without water, electricity and basic services. Makeshift shelters are being improvised in many locations to receive people who don't know when or if they will be able to return to their homes. The impact of this disaster is without any precedent in Brazilian history.  

“The situation is catastrophic," says MSF medical coordinator Rachel Soeiro. "When we arrived and traveled through the region by helicopter, we were able to view the towns from above and noticed that in some cases we couldn't even see the roofs of houses. There are kilometers and kilometers, and all there is, is water."

These people were already facing difficult situations before the flooding. But their needs have risen further and access to them has become more difficult.

Rachel Soeiro
MSF medical coordinator

MSF support during the emergency

MSF emergency teams are responding to the climate disaster in Rio Grande do Sul, with activities mainly focused on the most vulnerable populations. 

“Assisting people who are most vulnerable is one of MSF´s main concerns in such situations," says Rachel Soeiro. “These people were already facing difficult situations before the flooding. But their needs have risen further and access to them has become more difficult."

MSF is supporting the local indigenous health authorities with the delivery of medical assistance, drug supplies, water and food to indigenous communities. Our teams have visited indigenous communities such as Guajayvi and Kurity, in the municipalities of Charqueadas and Canelas. On one occasion, the population was totally isolated by the rise of the waters and had been without help for more than ten days.

We are also cooperating with authorities to facilitate the delivery of water and food to isolated areas. As most roads are blocked, organising transport is very complex. Many places can only be reached by helicopter. In the city of Canoas, in Porto Alegre's metropolitan region, MSF is setting up two mobile clinics with teams of doctors, nurses, psychologists and health promoters who are going to start working in shelters in the following days. 

MSF teams are also offering remote training on mental health first aid to professionals who are assisting flood victims. Mental health support will remain one of the focus of MSF emergency activities, together with medical consultations.

We know from our experience that there is a huge need for mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings and the demand comes both from the population and from professionals who are on the frontline,” says MSF psychologist Alvaro Palha.

The scenario in the region is still very volatile, with unstable weather that may cause additional flooding or delay the return of people to their homes. MSF is monitoring the situation and will adapt our responses to provide the best possible assistance according to the most urgent needs. 

MSF implemented a mental health project to support the victims of the socioenvironmental disaster that affected Rio Grande do Sul last year. Between September and November 2023, MSF provided an emergency response to people affected by a cyclone and flooding in towns of the Taquari valley. During about three months, we provided training for local professionals, including psychologists, social workers and education professionals. We also donated hygiene kits and offered health promotion activities to people who had to move to shelters. The same region was unfortunately severely affected by the most recent disaster and has been recently visited by an MSF team. 

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