Family in southern Brazil affected by extreme floods

Hi, my name is Paula and I am a Brazilian currently living in Wales, UK.

My state in Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, has been very badly affected by storms and floods over the last month. It is the worst climate catastrophe we have ever experienced.

The new data from the government shows there are 447 cities affected, 2 million people in total have been affected, 147 people died, 80826 people are in provisional shelters, 538241 people had to leave their homes, 800 injured and 127 people are still missing. The main airport and bus station in the capital are under water without plans of reopening. The airport is closed at least until september. The water levels are still not reducing and is getting colder as is winter.

This is huge and it will take the whole state a very very long time to recover. There are hundreds of cities that will have to be rebuilt completely, and so many people that lost everything.

It’s been quite hard just sitting here doing nothing, most of my friends and family that were not so badly affected are in the front line directly collecting donations of food, water, clothes, bedding etc.

The mum and sister of two of my best friends from university, Marcela and Belle, had to leave everything behind as they were in one of the most affected areas near the capital. They don’t know when they will be able to go back to their house and don’t know if they will be able to recover anything.

I am organising a fundraiser from the UK to help their family to start all over again. I will transfer the money directly to Isabelle via Paypal when we reach the target. All money will be used for their house re-establishment.

Please contribute with any amount. You will be directly helping a family suffering now.

Thank you very much