Appeal Target: US$ 804,780
Balance Requested: US$ 789,037
Geneva, 4 March 2011
Dear Colleagues,
On January 12, 2011 almost one month of rain fell in 24 hours. Some areas recorded over 250mm of rain over 36 hours. This triggered a series of flash floods and mudslides in the Brazilian Serrana mountain region near Rio de Janeiro and the states of Minas Gerais and S=E3o Paulo. As a result the thin soils of the mountains became saturated resulting in massive landslides, better described as avalanches. River levels rose rapidly, in some areas by over six meters, resulting in large scale loss of life and destroying buildings, roads, houses and large areas of farm land. The national government has declared a state of emergency in the seven affected municipalities of Teresopolis, Petropolis, Nova Friburgo, S=E3o Jose de Vale do Rio Preto, Areal, Bom Jardim, Sumidouro. Estimated loss to the local rural economy is US$168m.
Brazil is experiences flooding in five other states affecting more than two million people. This is an increase of over 179%=B9 from 2010. The floods in Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais have badly damaged the coffee harvest.
Most of the communities have identified their basic needs in terms of rebuilding their source of livelihood and supplementing the government's basic assistance with a better balance of food, particularly protein, and the replacement of household furniture and domestic appliances.
Koinonia is proposing to respond to the affected population recover their means of livelihood and well being through humanitarian assistance and agriculture rehabilitation in a way that promotes early recovery and does no harm to their long term recovery in the following areas; 12 villages in the Municipality of Teresopolis, 3 areas of Petropolis including the urban community of Vale de Cuiabá. In Nova Friburgo 2 areas have been identified including the urban community of Sta. Bernadete. All of the areas are rural communities apart from Vale de Cuibá and Sta Bernadete. Coordination will be established with the local Lutheran church in Petropolis and Nova Friburgo in order to do a joint implementation in these villages.
Project Start/Completion Date: 30 September 2011 (8 months)