Up to half of the people killed in severe flooding are feared to be children. Many more deaths are expected as heavy downpours continue to drown south-eastern Brazil. Support our work there and donate to our emergency fund.
Tuesday 18 January 2011
At least 720 lives have been lost, following severe flooding and landslides in the mountainous towns of Teresopolis, Nova Friburgo and Petropolis near Rio de Janeiro. There are more than 180,000 children living in the three towns who are at risk.
Thousands of people have been forced out of their homes due to torrential rain and rocks falling on homes and buildings. Hundreds of houses have been destroyed and acres of land have been submerged under water. In some places the water has risen two or three metres above buildings. Destroyed roads, bridges and damaged electricity and communication lines have hampered rescue operations.
Water racing through villages at high speeds
“The rain is showing no signs of easing and thousands of children's lives are at risk,” said Heloisa Oliveira Save the Children Country Director in Brazil. “The water is racing through villages at high speed, dragging everything with it and leaving children and their families with nothing to hold on to. Some bodies have been swept away for several miles before being found. People are scrambling to find places to live in, finding shelter in any public building they come across which has not been flooded or damaged. Many are in desperate need of water, food, shoes and clothes. It is now a race against time to get through to these families and help them survive this disaster.”
What we are doing
- We have started the distribution of 6 Safe Play Area kits, which will provide protection and psycho-social support to affected children and have established 10 safe play areas around shelters
- A field basis has been established in Petropolis to conduct needs assessments and ensure children living in temporary camps are protected.
- We are distributing hygiene kits to children under 5 and ensuring that children are able to return to school by providing essential items such as notebooks and pencils.
- We are allocating funds from our emergency fund to respond immediately to this, and other, emergencies and save children's lives. It has already been used in seven countries in 2011.
Support our work in emergencies and donate to our emergency fund