Hit by intense rains since April 27th and lasting until May 5th, the State of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, was impacted in an unimaginable way, a devastation similar to the effects of a war.
On May 7, 2024, CNN broadcast live, speaking from the Governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite, who reported the dramatic situation that is presented:
48,799 people in shelters
159,036 displaced
1,443,950 affected
372 injured
131 missing
90 deaths
On May 9 , 2024, the Civil Defense bulletin of Rio Grande do Sul informs that the number of deaths totals 107 due to the storms that hit the State of Rio Grande do Sul and the update also informs that there are 136 missing and 374 injured.
AERIAL VIEW OF THE CENTER OF PORTO ALEGRE, CAPITAL OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL. SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION
To give you an idea, in the municipality of Bento Gonçalves alone, there were 600 millimeters of rain in three days, with hundreds of landslides. There were deaths and burials of families and the isolation of almost a thousand people. This required a gigantic "task force" to rescue these people, according to the words of the Mayor of Bento Gonçalves, Diogo Segabinazzi Siqueira, in an interview with Jovem Pan Radio, on May 7, 2024.
Let's look at the rainfall intensity ranges, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO, which establishes the following ranges:
Light rain: less than 2.5 mm/h.
Moderate rain: from 2.5 to 10 mm/h.
Heavy rain: from 10 to 50 mm/h.
Very heavy (violent) rain: from 50 mm/h.
According to WMO rainfall intensity ranges, the volume of rainfall in Bento Gonçalves was extremely high.
According to a CNN report and according to the Civil Defense report, 425 of the 497 cities in Rio Grande do Sul were affected by the storms – equivalent to 85.5% of the total. Only 72 cities did not have any impact related to rain. See the list of cities that were affected by the rains:
AMUSEMENT PARK IN THE MATHIAS VELHO NEIGHBORHOOD, IN CANOAS, IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL. SOURCE: CNN
Faced with this highly challenging context, the restoration of normality will depend on a slow reconstruction process, to be initiated as soon as the waters recede. It will require the union of herculean efforts.
There are several ways to collaborate, through donations, for Rio Grande do Sul.
BOAT RESCUES IN THE CITY OF CANOAS-RS. SOURCE: GZH
SOS ENCHENTES WEBSITE
The Communication Secretariat of the Government of Rio Grande do Sul presents the website https://sosenchentes.rs.gov.br/inicial in which it directs donations to pix CNPJ 92.958.800/0001-38 in which it states that it is linked to the bank account opened by Banrisul (State Bank of Rio Grande do Sul) and that the resources will be fully reverted to humanitarian support for flood victims and the reconstruction of the municipalities' infrastructure.
The Secretariat warns, when carrying out the operation, to confirm, before validating the donation, that the name of the account that appears is "SOS Rio Grande do Sul" and that the bank is Banrisul.
International donations
The government of the State of Rio Grande do Sul also activated international donation channels. With the action, the Executive expands fundraising possibilities and allows people and organizations around the world to contribute to the emergency situation.
To donate, use the following data and instructions:
Euro
Standard Chartered Bank - Frankfurt
Swift: SCBLDEFX
Account: 007358304
Beneficiary bank: Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul S/A - Head office
Swift: BRGSBRRS
Beneficiary: Association of Banks in the State of Rio Grande do Sul
CNPJ: 92.958.800/0001-38
Iban: BR5392702067001000645423206C1
American dollar
Standard Chartered Bank - New York
Swift: SCBLUS33
Account: 3544032986001
Beneficiary bank: Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul S/A - Head office
Swift: BRGSBRRS
Beneficiary: ASSOCIATION OF BANKS IN THE STATE OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL
CNPJ: 92.958.800/0001-38
Iban: BR5392702067001000645423206C1
Pounds Sterling
Standard Chartered Bank - London
Swift: SCBLGB2L
Account: 01251596201
Beneficiary bank: Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul S/A - Head office
Swift: BRGSBRRS
Beneficiary: Association of Banks in the State of Rio Grande do Sul
CNPJ: 92.958.800/0001-38
Iban: BR5392702067001000645423206C1
In all cases, you must inform:
Iban Code: BR5392702067001000645423206C1
Name: Association of Banks in the State of Rio Grande do Sul
CNPJ: 92.958.800/0001-38
Management Committee
The State of Rio Grande do Sul published on Sunday (05/May/2024) Decree No. 57,601, which establishes the management committee of the SOS Rio Grande do Sul account. The group, formed by public and private entities, will be responsible for defining actions , measures and criteria for distributing donations destined for flood victims and collected by the channel's pix key.
The list of members of the Steering Committee includes, from the public sector, the Governor's Office, the Vice-Governor's Office, the State Attorney General's Office, the Secretariat of Economic Development, the Military House, the Secretariat of Logistics and Transport, the Secretariat of Social Development, the Secretariat of Housing and Land Regularization and the private sector, the Association of Banks in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, the Federation of Associations of Municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul (Famurs), the Central Única das Favelas (Cufa ), the Federation of Chambers of Store Managers of Rio Grande do Sul (FCDL-RS), the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Fiergs), the Federation of Commerce of Goods and Services of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Fecomércio), the Marcopolo Foundation, the Elisabetha Randon Institute, the Lions Club, the Rotary Club and the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae/RS).
WEST MAGAZINE
West magazine started, four days ago, a campaign to obtain donations for Rio Grande do Sul and has already exceeded 3 million reais, to help the victims of the floods that are ravaging the State. The magazine states that it will report daily, both in relation to the amounts collected and the destination of donations.
Anyone who wants to collaborate with donations, through Revista Oeste, send pix to the following email: ApoioRS@revistaoeste.com
SPIRITIST CENTERS IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL
Check out the Spiritist Centers in cities in Rio Grande do Sul, which are receiving and making donations for those affected by the rains in Rio Grande do Sul.
Alvorada-RS
Allan Kardec Spiritist Group
Collection of non-perishable food, hygiene and cleaning items, blankets and towels, pet food
Avenida Maringá 1316 – Alvorada-RS
From 2pm to 4pm
Lageado-RS
Léon Denis Spiritist Center
PIX key: 91.167.833/0001-05
To donate clothes, food, basic hygiene materials or other materials, contact: (51) 9 9967.6349
Novo Hamburgo,RS
Spiritist Society in Search of Truth
Collection of non-perishable food, hygiene and cleaning items, blankets and towels.
Delivery can be made to the Centro headquarters (Rua Bento Gonçalves 2863):
Saturday - from 5pm to 8pm
Tuesday - from 7pm to 9pm
Thursday - from 2pm to 4pm or from 7pm to 9pm
At the Canudos headquarters (Rua América 1313):
Monday - from 7pm to 9pm
Porto Alegre (State's capital)
Teresa D'ávila Spiritist Association
Campaign to collect clothes, food, personal hygiene and cleaning products.
R. Fernando Strehlau, 55
Jardim Itu - Porto Alegre-RS
Mondays, from 2pm to 3:30pm
Thursdays from 7:20 pm to 8:30 pm
Peace and Light Spiritist Association
Campaign to collect clothes, food, personal hygiene and cleaning products.
Rua Dr. Pereira Neto, 1737, Camaquã neighborhood, Porto Alegre.
Wednesday, from 7:30 pm to 9 pm;
Saturday, from 2:30 pm to 4 pm.
Path of Light Spiritist Society
Collection point for the following items:
- Non-perishable food
- Mineral water
- Personal hygiene products
- Food for dogs/cats
Av. Bento Gonçalves, 1209 Partenon - Porto Alegre/RS
Donations can be delivered to our House (Av. Bento Gonçalves, 1209), during working hours.
Mondays and Thursdays: 6:45 pm to 9 pm
Tuesdays: 2:45pm to 4pm
Saturdays: from 2:45 pm to 4:30 pm
Amigo Germano Spiritist Institute
Campaign to collect clothes, food, personal hygiene and cleaning products.
Donations can be delivered starting tomorrow (including Saturday and Sunday) at the Instituto Espírita Amigo Germano, Rua Santana, 1225, Farroupilha neighborhood, Porto Alegre/RS.
Santana Do Livramento-RS
Spiritist Charity Center
Street: Rivadávia Corrêa, 1141
Receiving donations this Saturday 4/5.
Time: 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Rio Grande-RS
Rio Grande Spiritist Union
Campaign to collect clothes, non-perishable food, mattresses and blankets, personal hygiene products and food.
Rua Benjamin Constante 521
WhatsApp UERG: (53) 991167581
São Gabriel-RS
Workers of Charity Spiritist Center
- Campaign to collect clothes and non-perishable food.
Street: Celestino Cavalheiro, 400 center
Donations can be delivered to Obreiros da Caridade, from 8:30 am to 11 am.
Obreiros ANEXO
Street: Virgílio Silva, 87 neighborhood October 3
And at Obreiros ANNEXO, from 2pm to 4pm.
Taquara-RS
Sister Dalva Spiritist Center
Varal Solidário - Donation of clothes for those affected by the floods.
R. Prof. Rodolfo Dietschi, 1922 Taquara/RS
Thursday from 2pm to 5pm
Friday 03/05 2pm to 5pm.
Viamão-RS
André Luiz Spiritist Association
Collecting hygiene and cleaning materials
Tuesdays (from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm) and Saturdays (from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm)
Estrada Capitão Gentil Machado de Godoy, 661 - Vila Elza
THE FEDERATION OF INDUSTRIES OF SC (FIESC) AND FOUNDATION GAÚCHA DE BANKS SOCIALS
The Federation of Industries of SC (FIESC) and its entities are receiving donations for those affected by the tragedy caused by the rains in Rio Grande do Sul. Those interested in helping can take food, clothes, hygiene items and cleaning products to the regional and SESI, SENAI and IEL units throughout the state.
The Santa Catarina Federation is also part of a campaign to donate resources via pix to the Fundação Gaúcha de Bancos Sociais, an entity linked to the federation of industries in Rio Grande do Sul, given the logistical difficulties that Rio Grande do Sul is currently facing.
Donations to help Rio Grande do Sul, through the Fundação Gaúcha de Bancos Sociais , send amounts via pix to CNPJ 04.580.781/0001-91
AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK ENTITIES
According to a Forbes Brasil report, agriculture and livestock entities are also integrated into the solidarity movement to help Rio Grande do Sul.
Acta Agro
Atua Agro is part of Synap (Syngenta Agriculture Platform), Syngenta's holding company formed by independent companies. There are 44 branches in the southern region of the country, with 144 stores that serve as product collection points. To find out where the stores are located, go to the website actuaagro.com.br and access the Stores.
Brazilian Brangus Association
The Brazilian Association of Brangus (ABB) and the Núcleo Brangus Sul joined the Instituto Desenvolvimento Pecuária in collecting donations. The amount collected has been directed through Civil Defense. PIX for CNPJ: 42.510.117/0001-65
Institute for Livestock Development
The Instituto Desenvolvimento Pecuária was born in 2019 through a WhatsApp group of rural producers from Rio Grande do Sul, cattle breeders, and which today brings together rural entrepreneurs, teachers, university students and technical consultants. PIX for CNPJ: 42.510.117/0001-65
Forest Cultural Institute
The Forest Cultural Institute, based in Porto Alegre, is a local NGO. Using this link you can access the rescue points and maps of the locations. PIX for CNPJ: 27.631.481/0001-90
Federasul
The Federation of Business Entities of Rio Grande do Sul (Federasul), which brings together its 194 affiliated entities, launched the fundraising campaign. The focus of the campaign is to purchase blankets. The coming winter is a season that easily records temperatures below zero degrees in some regions of the state . PIX: sosrs@federasul.com.br
Brazilian Angus Association
The Brazilian Angus Association (ABA) launched the solidarity campaign and works in contact with civil defense to identify the population's most urgent needs. PIX: finance@angus.org.br
Aprosoja Brazil
The Brazilian Soy Producers Association (Aprosoja) is participating in the campaign by collecting funds that will be directed. PIX for CNPJ: 11.029.749/0001-88
Federarroz
The Federation of Rice Growers Associations of RS (Federarroz), which represents 16 rice growers associations, is collecting donations to purchase basic food baskets and utensils. PIX for CNPJ: 93.459.410/0001-86
Gadandondo and Milk Brazil
The Association of Dutch Cattle Breeders of RS (Gadolando) and the Brazilian Association of Milk Producers (Milk Brazil) are supporting the affected producers and the communities in their surroundings. The entities ask for donations of food, water, hygiene products and volunteer services. In terms of values, the entities recommend. PIX online at https://www.vakinha.com.br .
There are several other initiatives for donations to Rio Grande do Sul. It is valuable to be supportive and that the amounts donated help to overcome the enormous difficulties that exist, with the powerful help of all the organizations and people who are united in this great purpose.
By Luiz Cincurá
Sources:
CNN Brasil. Rains in RS: more than 85% of cities in Rio Grande do Sul were affected; see list. Available in: < https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/nacional/chuvas-no-rs-quase-80-das-cidades-gauchas-foram-afetadas-veja-lista/ > Accessed on May 8, 2024.
CNN Breaking News. Live broadcast on May 7, 2024, 5:43 pm. Now: Governor Eduardo Leite updates the situation in RS .
Spiritist Federation of Rio Grande do Sul. Solidarity: Check out the Spiritist Centers that are receiving and making donations for those affected by the rains in RS . Available at: < https://www.fergs.org.br/single-post/solidariedade-confira-os-centros-esp%C3%ADritas-que-est%C3%A3o-recebendo-e-realizando-doa% C3%A7%C3%B5es-ao-atidos-p > Accessed on May 9, 2024.
FIESC.
FIESC . FIESC and entities receive donations for Rio Grande do Sul . Available at < https://fiesc.com.br/pt-br/imprensa/fiesc-e-entidades-recebem-doacoes-para-o-rio-grande-do-sul > Accessed on May 9, 2024.
FORBES AGRO. Want to help? Agricultural entities in the campaign for Rio Grande do Sul. Available at < https://forbes.com.br/forbesagro/2024/05/quer-ajudar-as-entidades-do-agro-na-campanha-pelo-rio -grande-do-sul/ > Accessed on May 9, 2024.
FORBES BRAZIL. These billionaire companies are helping with the tragedy in RS; check out. Available at: < https://www.msn.com/pt-br/dinheiro/economia-e-negocios/estas-empresas-de-bilion%C3%A1rios-est%C3%A3o-ajudando-na-trag% C3%A9dia-do-rs-confira/ar-BB1m5xm0?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=479ea0ee8f064164a75bed3dca82df4d&ei=27 > Accessed on: May 9, 2024.
G1. The number of deaths rises to 107 after floods that hit RS. Available at < https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2024/05/09/sobe-para-107-o-numero-de-mortos-apos-enchentes-que -atem-o-rs.ghtml > Accessed on May 9, 2024.
YOUNG PAN. Podcast Os Pingos dos Is: Interview with the Mayor of Bento Gonçalves , on 05/07/2024, (listen to the audio with the interview starting at 16 minutes and 50 seconds). Available at < https://jovempan.com.br/podcasts/programas/os-pingos-nos-is/os-pingos-nos-is-07-05-2024-rio-grande-do-sul-estado-confirma -95-mortes-e-131-desaparecidos.html > Accessed on May 8, 2024.
WEST MAGAZINE . Oeste exceeds 3 million in revenue for Rio Grande do Sul . Available at: < https://revistaoeste.com/brasil/oeste-supera-r-3-milhoes-em-arrecadacao-para-o-rio-grande-do-sul/ > Accessed on May 9, 2024.
SOS RIO GRANDE DO SUL. Pix - how to donate . Available at < https://sosenchentes.rs.gov.br/pix-como-doar > Accessed on May 9, 2024.
UOL.BRASIL SCHOOL. Rain: Rain intensity. Available at: < https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/chuvas-precipitacoes.htm > Accessed on May 9, 2024