Hundreds of residents in Santarém, Brazil saw their homes engulfed by floodwaters last week. Many live in boats as they wait for the waters to recede, though some have returned to their flooded houses.

SANTARÉM, Brazil - Hundreds of residents in this flooded town in the Pará region of Brazil are still homeless after 30 foot floodwaters engulfed their homes last week.

Throughout Pará, Brazil’s federal government reported that 175,000 people in 34 cities have been affected. “Brazil's geological service is calling this the worst flood the Amazon region has seen in the past 156 years,” said Leo Ferreira, national director for OB Brazil.

OB Brazil staff have met with the minister of Social Integration and the Governor of Pará to coordinate relief efforts.

“We need all the help we can get to overcome this situation. We appreciate Operation Blessing’s efforts to help, it is much-needed,” said Ana Júlia Carepa, Governor of Pará.

Relief efforts have been concentrated in Santarém, which was particularly hard hit and where roads are still completely underwater.

OBI relief teams distributed food kits to more than 350 families. Each kit will provide a family with nearly a month’s supply of food.

OBI relief teams visited several riverside communities near Santarém by boat, distributing food kits to more than 350 families. Each kit will provide a family with nearly a month’s supply of food.

“The situation is still very critical,” Ferreira said.

Many families continue to live in boats as they wait for the waters to recede, though some people have returned to their flooded houses.

Some have improvised a raised floor, called a maromba, above the floodwaters, often just a foot or two from the ceiling. Residents have to crawl across the floor to get from room to room.

“The situation in these communities is horrendous,” said Ferreira. “There are no toilets, so waste is being thrown in the water.”

There are some concerns that even after the water levels return to normal, others problems will emerge. Infectious diseases like hepatitis and yellow fever are a risk due to contaminated water.

Many of the affected areas are remote communities far from hospitals, so medical relief could become an urgent problem.

OB Brazil staff will continue to assess the situation to determine ongoing relief needs.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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