Brazil |
Disaster Assistance at a Glance
Recent Disaster Declaration:
Floods
OFDA Response:
Emergency Relief Supplies
OFDA Preparedness:
Disaster preparedness, capacity building
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Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Floods, 05-01-2009
Two weeks of heavy rains led to flooding and mudslides in northeastern Brazil, primarily affecting Bahia and Maranhão states. According to the U.S. Consulate in Recife, as of May 1, floods had affected more than 85,000 people, including 30,000 individuals displaced from flood-damaged houses in Maranhão State. According to international media sources, the floods also displaced at least 3,400 individuals in Bahia State, resulted in 3 deaths, and destroyed at least 6,000 houses.
On May 1, 2009, U.S. Ambassador Clifford M. Sobel issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of the flooding. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia for the purchase of emergency relief supplies. A USAID/OFDA disaster management specialist also deployed to affected areas to monitor conditions and coordinate humanitarian assistance with the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia and USAID/Brazil.
Additional Disaster Declaration:
Floods, 11-25-2008
Beginning November 20, heavy rainfall caused serious flooding in Santa Catarina State, affecting an estimated 1.5 million people—approximately one-fourth of the state’s population. As of November 25, flooding and mudslides had displaced more than 40,000 people in Santa Catarina, particularly affecting Ilhota town and Blumenau city. Landslides killed 65 individuals, primarily in the Itajai Valley. According to Brazilian government officials, flooding also damaged or destroyed infrastructure statewide, isolating at least eight cities and leaving residents without access to safe drinking water or power.
On November 25, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Lisa J. Kubiske issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of the flooding. In response, USAID/OFDA provided an initial $50,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia to Caritas for emergency assistance, including local procurement and distribution of emergency relief supplies for affected populations.
Flooding, 04-17-2008
Heavy rains beginning in late March caused flooding and mudslides in the normally semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. According to the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia, flooding affected 415,691 people in 250 municipalities in Ceará, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, and Rio Grande do Norte states as of April 11. As a result of the flooding, 39,606 individuals lost their houses and 79,451 people were displaced as of April 11. In Paraíba State, 26 people died as a result of the floods. Floodwaters damaged infrastructure, including roads and dams, and led to the loss of crops, seed banks, pasture land, field animals, and water management resources.
On April 17, U.S. Ambassador Clifford M. Sobel issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of the flooding. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 to Catholic Relief Services for the provision of basic emergency assistance for a total of 500 families in Crateus municipality, Ceará State; Esperantina municipality, Piauí State; and Aparecida municipality, Paraíba State. USAID/OFDA staff in Washington, D.C., and San José, Costa Rica, and the MDRO in Brasilia continued to monitor conditions.
For information on USAID's hurricane recovery and reconstruction programs, please see here.
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