Silver Spring, Maryland--Last weekend, record rainfall caused deadly flooding and landslides in southern Brazil, killing at least 84 people, displacing more than 54,000 from their homes, and affecting an estimated 1.5 million people in the region. In response, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is launching an emergency response in the state of Santa Catarina to provide food aid for nearly 7,000 affected by the floods.

In Itajai, a town located on the northern coast of Santa Catarina, ADRA is distributing food baskets for 750 families. In Blumenau, one of the worst affected cities in the state, ADRA is providing food baskets for 600 families. Each basket is packed with rice, beans, oil, corn flour, salt, sugar, pasta, and sardines, and is designed to feed a family of five for five days.

ADRA is working in coordination with Santa Catarina's Civil Defense to ensure that there is no duplication of food assistance and to better meet the needs of affected residents.

The 15-day distribution response began Wednesday, November 26, and is financed by ADRA International, the ADRA South America Regional office located in Brasilia, Brazil, and the ADRA South Brazil Union office.

On Saturday, November 22, State Governor Luiz Henrique da Silveira declared a state of emergency across Santa Catarina, in response to what he called, "the worst weather tragedy in [state] history," Agence France-Presse reported. Months of record-breaking rain intensified last weekend, destroying transportation routes, isolating eight cities, and submerging city streets in waist-high water. Flooding also cut off gas lines, electricity, and the supply of clean water.

"A catastrophe of this magnitude has never happened before," said Gunther Wallauer, director for the ADRA South America Regional office. "However, despite the current circumstances, ADRA is working to meet the needs of as many as we can, to help them get through this horrible time."

A month's worth of rain fell on the state in five hours Sunday, flooding the Itajai Acu, one of the main rivers in the state, until it grew 38 feet (11.5 m) above normal, inundating all of the cities around its banks. Landslides have caused the majority of the deaths, with 13 dead in Blumenau, when more than 34 inches (878.4 mm) of rain flooded the city. Officials warn that further landslides are still a danger.

Average rainfall during the month of November in this region is between five and six inches (approximately 130-150 mm), according to state estimates.

To assist in ADRA's emergency response to the flooding in Brazil, contributions can be donated to ADRA's Emergency Response Fund, by phone at 1.800.424.ADRA (2372) or online at www.adra.org.

ADRA is a non-governmental organization present in 125 countries providing sustainable community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

Author: Nadia McGill

Media Contact: John Torres, Senior Public Relations Manager, ADRA International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301.680.6357 E-mail: Media.Inquiries@adra.org