Brazil

10 September 2024

Since October 2023, Amazonas state has been experiencing a drought that has led to the declaration of a state of emergency in all 62 of its municipalities. This has been the worst drought in the state in over 40 years. By late 2023, it had affected an estimated 600,000 people, a figure projected to reach over 1.2 million by the beginning of 2024. Although the current number of people affected is unknown, recent reports suggest a worsening of the situation, especially for riverine communities. Low river levels have stranded dozens of communities only accessible by water, limiting access to food, fuel, medicine, and basic services, such as healthcare and education. Owing to shortages of potable water, reports of illnesses, especially among children, because of unsafe water consumption have increased in some areas. Prolonged drought conditions may aggravate healthcare needs in communities already struggling to access basic services. (Brazil Government 05/09/2024, BdF 09/09/2024, PAHO accessed 11/09/2024)

20 May 2024

By 16 May 2024, floods had affected 2.2 million people in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. Of these, 500,000 were displaced and one million faced intermittent access to drinking water and electricity. Although there are 27,000 state personnel deployed in the rescue mission and the country is receiving help from international responders, the number of people affected probably surpasses the aid currently available. (OCHA 20/05/2024, MSF 20/05/2024)

07 May 2024

Since 27 April 2024, record rainfall linked to El Niño has caused unprecedented flooding in Brazil's southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, killing at least 95 people by 7 May. The flooding displaced 208,000 people and affected at least 1.5 million across the state. Floods had also deprived more than 1.4 million people of electricity and cut off telecommunications in 48 cities. The inundation of roads has isolated some towns and disrupted transportation. The flooding has also affected the states of Parana and Santa Catarina, increasing the number of casualties. More rainfall is expected in the coming days. The full impact of the floods is still unknown, but those affected are likely to need food, shelter, and WASH assistance. (WMO 06/05/2024, ECHO 08/05/2024, The Guardian 06/05/2024)

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)