Since unprecedented rainfall began on April 29, severe flooding has affected South Brazil and parts of Uruguay, leaving 46 of 96 neighborhoods in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, still submerged. The disastrous flooding has resulted in 169 casualties, displaced nearly 600,000 people and affected over two million inhabitants, marking Brazil’s worst flooding in over 80 years. Of those displaced, 80,000 are currently living in temporary shelters. Infrastructure, including many roads and bridges, has been heavily damaged, making access to Porto Alegre unpredictable.

All Hands and Hearts (AHAH) acted swiftly in response to the devastating flooding in South Brazil. Our Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) was on the ground within a week, marking our first relief effort in the country. AHAH aims to provide relief to individuals and families grappling with the flood’s aftermath, taking immediate action to assist with the extensive need for mud removal and other cleanup efforts. In collaboration with local organizations, we aim to maximize our impact in the region and support volunteer coordination and distribution activities to ensure efficient, effective relief efforts.