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       Unprecedented flooding in Brazil leaves millions affected and hundreds
       of thousands displaced
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       The extreme rainfall and flooding that hit the southern Brazilian
       state of Rio Grande do Sul isolated and forced the evacuation of whole
       cities. Roads have been destroyed, bridges knocked out and the main
       airport, in the capital city of Porto Alegre, is indefinitely closed.
       More than 460 state municipalities, out of a total of 497, have been
       hit.  
         
       "The situation is catastrophic. When we arrived and travelled through
       the region by helicopter, we were able to view the towns from above
       and noticed that in some cases we couldn't even see the roofs of
       houses," says Rachel Soeiro, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical
       coordinator in Brazil, emphasizing the unprecedented flooding in
       Brazil.  
         
       The disaster has taken a massive human toll. According to provisional
       data, more than 150 people died and about 100 are still unaccounted
       for. Many people are without water, electricity and basic services.
       More than two million people were impacted and over 600,000 have been
       displaced. Makeshift shelters are being improvised in many locations
       to receive people who don't know when or if they will be able to
       return to their homes.
        
       "People were already facing difficult situations before the flooding.
       But their needs have risen further." Rachel Soeiro, MSF medical
       coordinator in Brazil
        
       ## MSF support during the emergency
        
       Our emergency teams are responding to the disaster in Rio Grande do
       Sul with activities mainly focused on the most vulnerable people.  
         
       "Assisting those who are most vulnerable is one of our main concerns
       in such situations," says Dr Soeiro. "These people were already facing
       difficult situations before the flooding. But their needs have risen
       further and access to them has become more difficult," she says.  
         
       We are supporting the local indigenous health authorities with the
       delivery of medical assistance, drug supplies, water and food to
       indigenous communities. We visited indigenous communities such as
       Guajayvi and Kurity, in the municipalities of Charqueadas and Canelas.
         
       On one occasion, people were totally isolated by the rise of the
       waters and had been without help for more than 10 days.  
         
       We have also been working with the authorities to facilitate the
       delivery of water and food to isolated areas. As most roads are
       blocked, organising transport is very complex. Many places can only be
       reached by helicopter.  
         
       In the city of Canoas, in Porto Alegre's metropolitan region, we are
       setting up two mobile clinics with teams of doctors, nurses,
       psychologists and health promoters who are going to start working in
       shelters in the following days.  
         
       Additionally, we are offering remote training on mental health first
       aid to professionals who are assisting flood victims. Mental health
       support will remain one of our focused emergency activities, together
       with medical consultations.  
         
       "We know from our experience that there is a huge need for mental
       health and psychosocial support in emergency settings and the demand
       comes both from people affected and medical professionals who are on
       the frontline," says Alvaro Palha, MSF psychologist.  
         
       The situation in the region is still very volatile, with unstable
       weather that may cause additional flooding or delay the return of
       people to their homes. We are monitoring the situation and may adapt
       our response according to the most urgent needs.
        
       MSF implemented a mental health project to support the victims of the
       socio-environmental disasters that affected Rio Grande do Sul last
       year. Between September and November 2023, MSF provided an emergency
       response to people affected by a cyclone and flooding in towns of the
       Taquari valley. Over three months, we provided training for local
       professionals, including psychologists, social workers and education
       professionals. We also donated hygiene kits and offered health
       promotion activities to people who had to move to shelters. The same
       region was unfortunately severely affected by the most recent disaster
       and has been recently visited by an MSF team.
        
        
        
        
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