THE Salvation Army in southern Brazil is providing emergency relief after heavy rain forced more than 1,500 people from their homes in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Water levels in some rivers rose by more than 10 metres, leading to Lake Guaíba overflowing and causing floods across the city of Porto Alegre.
Captain Ismael Cardoso, corps officer (minister) in Alegrete, and Major Raimundo Mendes, from Porto Alegre Corps, have both met with local authorities and other organisations to prepare a coordinated response to the flooding. Working with local Salvationists and volunteers, support will be provided to 100 families (around 400 people) – half in Alegrete and half in and around Porto Alegre.
An initial sum of US$16,000 from The Salvation Army's International Emergency Services, based in London, will allow the local responders to purchase and distribute essentials including food, milk, mattresses, duvets, cleaning equipment and basic shelter materials.
Report by IHQ Communications
International Headquarters
