Brazil

08 April 2024

As at 3 April 2024, heavy rainfall in the northeastern state of Maranhão had displaced at least 2,300 people. As a result, at least 13 municipalities had declared a state of emergency. Maranhão faced the same consequences from heavy rains around the same period in 2023, with 7,000 people left homeless and 35,000 families affected. (ERCC accessed 09/04/2024, PAHO 03/04/2024, The Brazilian Report 25/04/2023)

08 February 2024

In 2024, the states of Acre, Goias, and Minas Gerais and the Federal District of Brazil have declared a state of emergency in response to rising cases of dengue fever. The city of Rio de Janeiro has reported 10,000 cases alone, nearly half of all the cases reported in 2023. Although Brazil has tackled the situation by opening new healthcare facilities and spraying areas with high concentrations of mosquitoes, the communities residing far from major cities, the communities residing far from major cities could require humanitarian assistance in the form of WASH and medical services. (AP 08/02/2024, Expansion 07/02/2023, Reuters 08/02/2024)

22 November 2023

Drought is currently affecting an estimated 600,000 people in Amazonas state. As at 30 October 2023, 60 of the 62 municipalities in the state had been declared to be facing emergency drought levels. The drought is driven by El Niño, combined with deforestation and the above-average warming of the water in the northern Atlantic Ocean. As a result, the water levels in the Rio Negro River are the lowest in 120 years, affecting people’s access to services, including food, healthcare, and education. The affected population are left isolated, driving displacement, as the people often use the river to transport basic food and medicine, as well as passengers to where there are available services, such as schools and health facilities. About 12,300 people (3,000 families) are displaced and staying in emergency shelters. Clean drinking water is needed, as wells have dried up and water pumps are not functioning. (UNICEF 25/10/2023, PAHO 31/10/2023, Nature 14/11/2023)

29 October 2023

Heavy rainfall since 3 October 2023 has been affecting 138 municipalities in Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. The rains have killed at least two people and displaced 26,500, mostly from Blumenau, Lontras, Rio do Sul, and Tubarao municipalities. Displaced people likely need shelter, clean water, and food. (ECHO 12/10/2023, ECHO 19/10/2023)

19 September 2023

An extratropical cyclone, with heavy rainfall, strong winds, and hailstorms, have affected at least 354,000 people in Brazil. The cyclone has mainly affected southern Brazil, specifically Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul states, since 4 September. As at 14 September, there were nearly 50 dead, 940 injured, and over 25,000 displaced people recorded. Increased river water levels have restricted access to the affected areas from Porto Alegre city, limiting aid delivery. Some areas are isolated in Rio Grande do Sul, which has experienced the passage of four cyclones since June 2023. The weather event has likely affected agriculture and the livelihoods of those working in the sector. Assessments of the needs of the affected population have not been conducted, but they are likely to include shelter, clean water, and food.
(PAHO 15/09/2023, OCHA 11/09/2023, Clarin 05/09/2023)