Recent extreme floods in early May in Southern Brazil’s Rio Grande de Sul have left devastating consequences for children and families. More than 2.3 million people are affected, and thousands are suffering from the consequences of the floods: houses, schools, hospitals and other infrastructures which have been destroyed and damaged. Over 581,600 people have been displaced and at least 65,762 people living in shelters, as sanitary conditions are severely compromised, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. The closure of schools also jeopardizes the safe return to education, in addition to disrupting mental health among children and adolescents. Over 200,000 people are in need of assistance.
UNICEF’s team is on the field working to evaluate the flooding situation, identify partners, provide technical assistance, and distribute kits, including:
• Conducting a Comprehensive survey to understand the situation and needs of children, adolescents, and pregnant women in 90 shelters, in partnership with local agencies
• Providing technical support to strength flows of unaccompanied or separated children from their parents and guardians during the emergency
• Delivering 3 types of kits to shelters with children: educational and recreational kits, menstrual health kits, and kits for safe water use, hygiene and disease control.
• Engaging in technical cooperation to share expertise for emergency response, with special attention to access to water, child protection, and prevention of water-borne diseases
UNICEF remains present to assess the situation and the needs of children. With your support, UNICEF can continue its crucial work to help those families affected
by this emergency. Thank you.
