Appeal Target : US$ 112,233
BALANCE REQUESTED FROM THE NETWORK: US$ 91,291

Geneva, August 17, 2000

Dear Colleagues,

The heavy rains fell in July and the beginning of August in the Brazilian States of Pernambuco and Alagoas have left more than 70 people dead - drowned or buried by landslides - and 100,000 homeless. Material damage has not yet been calculated, but it is estimated that 8,000 houses were destroyed. There has been total loss of crops. Communication between urban centers and the interior has been harmed by the destruction of roads.

Mudslides caused by heavy rainfall have killed at least 47 people, and 120,000 more have lost their homes in the worst flooding to hit Brazil in 25 years. Walls of mud have buried homes and swept away bridges and roads, and entire towns are partially submerged in water.
Survivors plagued by snakes, rats

Maria Silva, a 39 year old mother of five children whose home was lost to the flooding, said "The water was up to my neck and I didn't know what to do. I ran with my family to one side and the other desperately trying to get away from rats and cockroaches.

Geneva, 11 August 2000
The Brazilian authorities have declared a state of emergency in the north east of the country where five days of heavy rains have left 60 people dead and some 143,000 homeless. Currently the situation is under control and the meteorological forecast is positive for the affected region.

However, according to the reports of the Civil Defence, the situation in 65 municipalities of the States of Pernambuco and Alagoas is critical. In Pernambuco, a calamity situation has been declared in 27 cities and an emergency in 13 others. There

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2000/0139
OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Brazil - Mudslides
9 August 2000

Disaster Situation

Mudslides triggered torrential rains in Brazil's northeast.

At present, the situation is under control and the meteorological forecast is that the weather tends to improve in the affected region.

Affected Area

Affected areas are situated in the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas.

Population Affected/Damage

Some 60 people dead, and some 143,000 have been forced to abandon their homes.

63 towns have been affected.

Request for international assistance

OCHA/GVA-2000/0136
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Brazil - Mudslides
4 August 2000

Background

Brazil has a tropical and subtropical climate characterized by high temperatures and moderate to heavy rainfall. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year and the nationwide average annual precipitation varies between 1,010 mm (40 inches) and 2,030 mm (80 inches).

Disaster Situation

Mudslides triggered by five days of torrential rains in Brazil's northeast.

Affected Area

Affected areas are situated in the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas.

RECIFE, Brazil - As Brazil braces for more flooding after the wettest July in 40 years, World Vision is delivering emergency supplies to thousands of children and adults in sponsorship communities in and around Recife. At least 56 people have been killed and more than 100,000 displaced by floods and mudslides in the hardest-hit northeastern states, Alagoas and Pernambuco.
World Vision has distributed food, medicine and blankets donated by local residents and has mobilized two relief teams to help meet emergency needs in Recife and Maceio.

No World Vision sponsored children were