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The Salvation Army in southern Brazil is providing emergency relief after heavy rain forced more than 1,500 people from their homes in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Water levels in some rivers rose by nearly 33 feet, leading to Lake Guaíba overflowing and causing floods across the city of Porto Alegre.
Captain Ismael Cardoso, corps officer in Alegrete, and Major Raimundo Mendes, from Porto Alegre Corps, met with local authorities and other organizations to prepare a coordinated response to the flooding. Working with local Salvationists and volunteers, support will be provided to around 400 people—half in Alegrete and half in and around Porto Alegre.
An initial sum of $16,000 USD from The Salvation Army International Emergency Services, based in London, will allow the local responders to purchase and distribute essentials including food, milk, mattresses, duvets, cleaning equipment and basic shelter materials.
For more and to donate to relief efforts, visit salvationarmy.org.