Since the end of April, the state of Rio Grande do Sul has been facing a new socio-environmental tragedy, considered the largest catastrophe ever recorded in the state, surpassing the tragic events of 2023, and the needs of those affected are diverse and urgent.

According to the state Civil Defense, the death toll rose to 148 on Tuesday the 14th. There are 127 missing and 806 injured. Added to those numbers, 615,000 people have been left homeless as a result of the floods. Of this total, 77,400 are in shelters and 538,200 are in the homes of friends or family.

To support people affected by the climate emergency, Cáritas Brasileira participates in the campaign Missão Sementes de Solidariedade: Emergência and mobilizes resources to provide basic necessities to affected communities. In addition to logistical difficulties, volunteers who are mobilizing to provide assistance also face obstacles.

How to help with donations outside Brazil?

Below are the account details to receive general international donations for the RS emergency.

Beneficiary: Cáritas Brasileira

Account number: 53.022-0

Agency: 452-9

Bank: Banco do Brasil

Address: SDS Bloco P - Ed. Venâncio III - Room 410, SHCS – Brasília

Bank SWIFT Code: BRASBRRJCTA

IBAN: BR920000000004520000530220C1

If you are interested in more information, please write an email to caritas@caritas.org.br.

How to help with donations in Brazil?

Donations of any amount can be sent to Cáritas Brasileira through PIX 33654419.0010-07 (CNPJ) or by bank transfer to Current Account: 55.450-2 / Agency 1248-3 (Banco do Brasil). Resources and mobilization are being managed directly by the Cáritas regional office in Rio Grande do Sul.

To avoid fraud and ensure that donations really reach those who need them most, it is important to be aware of possible fraud. For this reason, Cáritas Brasileira recommends carefully checking the information before making donations, making sure that the name of the organization appears on the confirmation screen when starting the PIX transfer.

Solidarity of Pope Francis

Pope Francis expressed solidarity and closeness to the gaucho people through a telephone call to the archbishop of Porto Alegre, president of the Episcopal Conference of Brazil (CNBB) and the Episcopal Council Latin American and Caribbean (Celam), Monsignor Jaime Spengler.

According to the president of the CNBB, Pope Francis said the following words of consolation to the population of Rio Grande do Sul: "I express my solidarity in favor of all those who are suffering from this catastrophe. I am close to you and I pray for you."

On Sunday, May 5, during the greeting at the Regina Coeli Marian prayer, he also expressed his proximity to Brazilians. "I want to assure my prayers for the populations of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, affected by major floods. May the Lord welcome the deceased and console their families and those who had to leave their homes."

It is important to remember that on May 9, the Apostolic Nunciature of Brazil announced that the Pope allocated nearly 100 thousand euros through the Apostolic Alms to assist the homeless. This amount will be transferred to the South Region 3 of the Episcopal Conference of Brazil (CNBB), which includes all the dioceses of the State.

(Cover photo: Joédson Alves/Agência Brasil)