In late April and early May 2024, the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil experienced an unprecedented climate catastrophe that caused devastation in several regions of the state. Torrential rains caused by a low air pressure system triggered floods and landslides that affected thousands of families.
The scale of the flooding overwhelmed cities' drainage infrastructure, leaving many people homeless and causing irreparable damage to properties and crops. In some places, entire neighborhoods disappeared, swept away by the force of the water. Bridges and roads were destroyed, isolating communities and cities and complicating rescue and humanitarian relief efforts.
Experts attribute the severity of this event to global climate change and underline the urgent need for improvement and adaptation measures. Governments, businesses and the international community are under pressure to invest in strong infrastructure and sustainable policies.
This disaster triggered a wave of solidarity in Brazil and around the world. At the national level, neighboring states and various sectors of civil society quickly mobilized to offer help, organized fundraising activities and sent volunteers to help with rescue efforts and support assistance to the homeless. The unity between Brazilians showed the strength of empathy and cooperation in times of crisis.
The international response has also been remarkable, with several countries and international organizations sending humanitarian aid, funding, rescue teams and medical supplies. This event highlighted the importance of international cooperation in the face of emerging climate challenges.
The activities of the Province of Sisters of Divine Providence in Brazil, with several communities and missions in the cities in Rio Grande do Sul, have also been severely affected. The health network Divina Providência was/is facing heavy effects in its hospitals in Estrela and Arroio do Meio. Likewise, Redipasc, a social welfare institution, found that all its rooms in the city of Canoas were flooded by the water and suffered/are suffering greatly from the flooding.
In these difficult times, we are experiencing the great solidarity of the population, for which we are deeply grateful. We are grateful for all the support, solidarity and help we receive from our congregation, several other religious congregations, corporations/institutions and civil society. This entire chain of solidarity strengthens hope and faith that better days will come and reaffirms our commitment to helping each other and building a more just and humane future for all.