Brazil Floods Separate Children from Families 

Brazil Floods
January 20, 2010: In response to one of the worst natural disasters in the nation’s history, the Brazilian government has made SOS Children’s Villages the designated temporary caregiver of children who have been separated from their families by recent flooding and mudslides. SOS is the world’s largest NGO providing family-based care for children without parental care.

Last week, towns near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including Nova Friburgo, Teresopolis, Petropolis, Sao Jose do Vale do Rio Preto, Sumidouro and Bom Jardin were hit by deadly flooding.  Authorities have said the death toll could soon reach 1,000. In addition to the casualties, another several thousand people have been displaced or made homeless by the flood.

Map of Brazil - SOS Children's Villages in Brazil
Map of SOS Children's Villages in Brazil
SOS is helping local authorities identify, register and temporarily care for children who have lost families in the disaster with hopes of reunifying them with their families. Today, an SOS-International emergency team is traveling from shelter to shelter to search for unaccompanied children and separated family members.

In the meantime, SOS-Brazil is committed to newly orphaned children in every way possible. With the help of another local NGO, SOS was able to acquire a nursery and kindergarten facility to house and care for the children.  At these temporary emergency relief centers, children are provided food, trauma relief, and a safe place to stay.

SOS Children’s Villages has had a presence in Brazil since the late sixties. The economic crisis that hit Brazil with unusually high inflation rates in the eighties created poverty and a great need for SOS in various communities. Brazil now has 14 SOS Villages that over 8,400 children call home.

Brazil Children - SOS Children's Villages Brazil
Meteorologists say that this is not the end of the raining and flooding for Brazil and other countries in the region. SOS supporters help us to help children around the world before disaster strikes.  Make a donation today or learn more about SOS Global Village Builders to see how you can provide care for children in need.