Collab: Gabriella Brizotti, a journalist with experience in sports and radio, TV, and online writing production, works for 365Scores Brazil, and is also a great person.
Climate tragedies, such as the recent flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, affecting rivers bordering Argentina and Uruguay, are becoming increasingly frequent and widely reported in the Social Media, TV, Radio. These climate emergencies and environmental displacements highlight the need for adaptation and the development of new public policies to help cities respond responsibly.
This event has put 388 municipalities (including Porto Alegre) into a state of emergency and forced thousands of people to leave their homes (a clear example of environmental displacement), with 80% of the population in these municipalities left without potable water.
Addressing flooding at the municipal level, especially considering people in vulnerable situations, is a significant challenge that requires attention. It involves repairing and managing the prevention of future damage.
In my role as a journalist and communicator, today I bring you an interview with Nathália Gomes, who will tell us more about what life is like in Rio Grande do Sul::
What is the situation in Rio Grande do Sul at the moment? The situation is complicated, primarily because on Thursday we had another heavy rainfall in the state, which also caused strong winds exceeding 80 km/h. This led to rescue operations being interrupted due to the risk of electrical discharges for the rescuers. The potable water supply is not functioning at 100%. Various neighborhoods, including those in Porto Alegre (the capital), are without water, as are other localities. It is concerning, and we need to alert other regions that have not been attended to (for example: Pelotas) since there is a possibility of further flooding. Many people are still missing and in need of rescue (and unfortunately, the supplies are scarce). Overall, the situation is very complicated. Furthermore, I believe that beyond what is happening right now, the situation after the disaster will be even more concerning. Currently, all eyes in Brazil are on providing aid and solidarity, with efforts to help us. However, once this passes, the residents of Rio Grande do Sul will unfortunately have to start from scratch to rebuild. We cannot be certain that this assistance will continue, which is why I remain deeply worried.
What help are you receiving? How can we help? What is most needed at the moment? My family has not been affected. We have been going out to help at shelters and asking what they need in terms of donations. Mainly, my uncles and cousins have been a great help to those in regions not receiving attention. My uncle receives donations to his account, and with that, we buy supplies and distribute them. My family has also received PIX (a digital currency used in Brazil, similar to "Paypal") and sent it to the boats. At the moment, the most needed item is water. There is a lack of potable water, the supply has been interrupted in several places, and the cost is extremely high in the market. Additionally, there is a need for feminine hygiene products and baby supplies.
Did the authorities anticipate that this climate disaster would occur? Last year, there was a rainfall that caused similar situations for various families and cities. In fact, in 2014, there was a report predicting what has happened, but the government chose to shelve it and not act on it. It was known that such an event could occur.
We're providing a link for anyone who wants to donate and help:
Comments