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Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Floods, 01-14-2011
Heavy rains beginning on December 29 caused flooding and landslides in southeastern Brazil, affecting São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, and Minas Gerais states. As of January 14, floods and landslides displaced more than 100,000 people, destroyed the homes of more than 13,500 individuals, and resulted in at least 500 deaths, according to international media sources. The majority of casualties occurred in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states, where landslides damaged neighborhoods located on steep inclines. In addition, heavy rainfall damaged water, electricity, and communication infrastructure and destroyed many roadways in mountainous regions of Rio de Janeiro, isolating residents from rescue operations.
On January 14, U.S. Ambassador Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. declared a disaster due to the effects of flooding in Brazil. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Brazil to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency for emergency relief supplies, comprising $50,000 to assist affected populations in Rio de Janeiro State and $50,000 for affected individuals in São Paulo State.
Additional Disaster Declaration:
Floods, April 8, 2010
Since April 5, heavy rains have caused extensive flooding and landslides in Río de Janeiro, Niterói, and São Gonçalo cities in Río de Janeiro State. According to international media sources, approximately nine inches of rain—significantly more than forecast for the entire month of April—fell during the first 24 hours. As of April 12, the flooding and approximately 200 associated mudslides had killed at least 205 people and displaced more than 24,000 others, international media reported. Brazilian authorities also estimated that at least 10,000 other houses in hillside shantytowns remained at risk of collapse due to landslides. On April 7, the Governor of Río de Janeiro State declared a state of emergency. On April 9, the Government of Brazil (GoB) established an emergency fund of approximately $112 million to assist victims of the floods and landslides. The GoB also deployed troops to affected areas to assist with rescue efforts.
On April 8, U.S. Ambassador Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of the floods and landslides. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Brazil to the non-governmental organization Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) for the purchase of emergency relief supplies to benefit affected populations.
Floods, 05-01-2009
Two weeks of heavy rains led to flooding and mudslides in northeastern Brazil, primarily affecting Bahia and Maranhão states. According to the U.S. Consulate in Recife, as of May 1, floods had affected more than 85,000 people, including 30,000 individuals displaced from flood-damaged houses in Maranhão State. According to international media sources, the floods also displaced at least 3,400 individuals in Bahia State, resulted in 3 deaths, and destroyed at least 6,000 houses.
On May 1, 2009, U.S. Ambassador Clifford M. Sobel issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of the flooding. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia for the purchase of emergency relief supplies. A USAID/OFDA disaster management specialist also deployed to affected areas to monitor conditions and coordinate humanitarian assistance with the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia and USAID/Brazil.
For information on USAID's hurricane recovery and reconstruction programs, please see here.
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