Attachments
A. SITUATION ANALYSIS
Description of the crisis
Between 29 April and 4 May, heavy rainfalls devastated Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, causing floods, landslides, and mudslides. This catastrophic event, the worst climate disaster in the state's history, affected 478 out of 496 municipalities. Over 1,000 millimetres of rain fell during this period, leading to significant destruction1 . By 20 August, the Brazilian Civil Defense reported that 2,398,255 people were affected, with 806 injuries and 182 deaths2 . The disaster forced 422,753 people from their homes, with 78,165 seeking refuge in official shelters at the height of the crisis3 . During the first month of the crisis, water levels decreased in most areas, allowing some displaced families to return home and begin cleaning up their houses.
However, on 16 June, heavy rains hit the state, with an average of 200mm of rainfall in 24 hours. Further floods affected 19 municipalities along the Caí, Cadeia, and Sinos rivers, prompting evacuation messages. In some municipalities, such as Porto Alegre, the percentage of people in shelters rose again to 20% of its citizens nearly 2 months after the crisis. Besides basic needs such as clothing, food, hygiene and cleaning items, the prolonged period in shelters adds a heavy psychological toll on the affected population.
Based on figures from the Rio Grande do Sul state’s Government, the number of people displaced in shelters decreased by 64% from the previous reporting period4 , reflecting a gradual return to normalcy for some families5 . However, as of 16 December 2024, approximately 1,233 individuals remain in temporary shelters, highlighting the ongoing need for humanitarian assistance.
Because of the receding waters, there was an increased risk of waterborne diseases due to contact with sewage and contaminated water. As of 15 August7 , the Ministry of Health reported 26 deaths from leptospirosis, 788 confirmed cases and 7,129 suspected cases as of the latest update8 . Additionally, official reports of acute diarrhoea9 were registered in the region since the beginning of the crisis.
The economic damages were estimated at R$ 88.9 billion10 (around 1.3% of the state's GDP), primarily affecting the productive sectors (69%) and social areas11 (21%), with significant losses in infrastructure and environmental damages as well. The floods led to a decrease in the state's economic output by an expected 1.3% and the potential loss of up to 432,000 jobs, representing a 7.3% reduction in the workforce. Many have lost their means of livelihood, including crops and livestock, adding to the socio-economic toll of the disaster.
Inflation rates impacted food prices up to 250% increase for the first weeks after the disaster, stabilizing in the next months.
Six months after the floods, there are still challenges remaining to tackle. Some families, displaced to temporary shelters, have no place to return, as their homes were either destroyed or located in high-risk areas. The rehabilitation and reconstruction of their homes are required to ensure their return. Additionally, the loss of income-generating activities continues to pose a challenge, with significant difficulties in their reactivation. Among the long-term challenges are the lack of contingency plans at the local level and the absence of community disaster risk preparedness systems.
The agricultural recovery, especially in livestock sectors like dairy, beef, and poultry, will take time, and food security remains a major concern. Local authorities and organizations continue to provide emergency relief, but the overall rebuilding process is expected to be long and difficult. Significant needs persist in the humanitarian response. Mental health support, access to cleaning and hygiene materials, and water quality remain critical concerns. Evaluations in newly affected municipalities have identified more remote communities requiring basic items, while WASH assessments have highlighted poor water quality in many areas.
As summer begun in December, Civil Defense issued warnings for heavy rain and strong winds, accompanied by lightning, hail, and localized flooding in the mountainous areas12 and United Nations agencies -specifically PAHO- reported severe weather forecasted throughout the summer.