20 March 2012
Boats and planes are being used by a Tearfund partner in northern Brazil to reach people affected by some of the worst flooding seen in the region.
Torrential rain has caused rivers to burst their banks in Acre state, making 26,000 families homeless and forcing seven municipalities to declare states of emergency.
Nineteen indigenous communities have been inundated by the flood waters which have caused widespread damage to cash crops such as cassava.
Our partner Asas de Socorro, is concentrating its relief efforts on remote flood-affected areas of Acre state along the rivers Purus and Acre.
Obstacles
Working alongside the Independent Presbyterian Church and Youth with Mission, Asas de Socorro is using its experience of disaster response work in this part of Brazil to mobilise doctors, nurses and health professionals to treat those suffering from waterborne illnesses and other injuries.
Using sea planes and boats, food is also being distributed to respond to the second worst floods in the history of Acre state.
Serguem Silva, Tearfund’s Country Representative for Brazil, said, ‘Thousands of people living alongside the Purus and Acre rivers have been displaced by the floods, losing their belongings and sources of income.
‘The area affected is huge in the Amazon region and there are many geographical obstacles but our partners are using all means at their disposal to respond to people’s needs.’
In January, the north eastern region experienced rainfall that was more than 50 per cent above the average.