Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, a state the size of Ecuador, has been devastated by historic floods, with most of its 497 municipalities in a state of public calamity. Authorities have described the crisis as “war-like” and consider it the state’s worst crisis caused by natural disasters ever.
Roughly 200,000 people were forced out of their homes, according to state officials. The death toll, which has been growing fast, is inching closer to the mark of 100 — and there are still more than 130 people missing.
A series of public and private initiatives are collecting donations in order to mitigate the devastating effects of the crisis. Post offices in the states of São Paulo and Paraná, as well as some in Rio Grande do Sul, for example, offered to collect and transport donations free of charge.
For those who live abroad and want to help, well-known NGOs are making their channels available for donations in foreign currency.
That is the case of the Brazil Foundation’s Luz Alliance Fund, created by fashion model Gisele Bündchen, and the Homeless Workers’ Movement’s (MTST) PayPal through its “Solidarity Kitchen” project. The MTST’s goal is to deliver 2,400 meals daily.
Another crowdfunding project is supported by companies and influencers from all over Brazil, and donations can be made in U.S. dollars, euros, and British pounds.
The state government of Rio Grande do Sul also opened channels for donations in dollars and euros.
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