Institutions join to aid families after flooding devastation

(MissionNewswire) Salesian institutions have come together to support families affected by the recent floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It is the worst flooding in the region since 1941. The most affected area is in Porto Alegre, capital of Rio Grande do Sul, where in some locations nearly 6 inches of rain fell in 24 hours, an amount typical for the entire month of April. Heavy rains caused river flooding and landslides, impacting the local population.

Reports indicate that more than 150 people have died, many others are missing and injured, and more than 600,000 have been displaced. More than 1.3 million of the total 11.4 million inhabitants suffered damage due to the bad weather wave that affected 497 municipalities.

The Dom Bosco College in Porto Alegre has been helping those who have been left homeless and is receiving donations to support the efforts from all over Brazil. This solidarity movement has been widely publicized by the media as well as through a live broadcast by the Novo Lar Social Work, which produces lunch containers every day.

The Salesian Leão XIII Center, through the Chain of Good initiative, is mobilizing resources to help affected families in the city of Rio Grande. The Saint John Bosco Parish in Itajaí, in Santa Catarina, is also supporting the efforts by promoting solidarity campaigns for the victims of the floods.

In addition, UniSalesiano, the Salesian University in Araçatuba, sent 37 volunteers to work in emergency health services. Among the volunteers are doctors, nurses, a veterinarian, a psychologist, final year nursing students and medical students with qualifications in advanced cardiovascular life support. The group will serve under the coordination of Dr. Ângelo Jacomossi, professor of medicine at the university.

A Salesian noted, “All of these efforts demonstrates the strength of solidarity and the capacity of mobilization of Salesian institutions in times of crisis, providing fundamental support to flood victims while highlighting the commitment to social welfare and humanitarian assistance.”

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Brazil – Salesian schools and parishes mobilise to help flood victims in Rio Grande do Sul

Salesian Missions – Brazil

World Bank – Brazil