Southern Brazil Flooding Response

Over a week has passed since the major flooding in Rio Grande do Sul (Southern Brazil), and four-fifths of the population of Porto Alegre is without running water. 90 people have been reported dead and more than 130 others missing. The most urgent need is drinking water, as supplies are being rationed due to severely damaged infrastructure.

Weather across South America is currently affected by the climate phenomenon El Niño, a periodic event that warms surface waters in the Equatorial Pacific region. In Brazil, El Niño has historically caused droughts in the north and intense rainfall in the south.

Damage from the rains has already forced more than 150,000 people from their homes. An additional 50,000 have taken refuge in temporary shelters. Experts say there is also growing public health risk as much of the region remains submerged, warning of water-related diseases such as dengue fever and leptospirosis.

Source: AP News

How you can help

Waves For Water is responding with our local team on the ground. With water infrastructure damaged and sources contaminated, we aim to address the immediate need for clean water access by deploying point-of-use filtration systems.

Cover Photo Source: REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli