Brazil has suffered its worst ever natural disaster, with more than 600 people known to have died last week in the floods and mudslides that took place in the north of Rio de Janeiro state after exceptionally heavy rains.
The towns worst hit were Nova Friburgo (292 confirmed deaths, as of 17 January), Teresópolis (271) and Petrópolis (55) – all in the mountain region about 60 miles north of Rio de Janeiro city. The search for bodies is still going on, hampered by further heavy rain.
Many thousands of people are homeless, their houses having been destroyed by torrents of mud and water, and much of the region is without electricity.
As of 17 January the Embassy of Brazil had been informed of seven different bank accounts in Brazil for those wishing to donate money to the ongoing relief effort – see below. Please note that it is not possible to send non-financial donations (clothing, medicines, etc) from outside Brazil.
SOS Teresópolis – Donativos
Bank: Banco do Brasil
Branch: 0741-2
Account: 110000-9
CNPJ – 29.138.369/0001-47
SOS Teresópolis – Donativos
Bank: Caixa Econômica Federal
Branch: 4146
Account: 2011-1
CNPJ – 29.138.369/0001-47
Prefeitura de Nova Friburgo [Nova Friburgo municipal government]
Bank: Banco do Brasil
Branch: 0335-2
Account: 120.000-3
Defesa Civil – RJ [Civil Defence, Rio de Janeiro]
Bank: Caixa Econômica Federal
Branch: 0199
Operation: 006
Account: 2011-0
Viva Rio [Rio de Janeiro-based NGO]
Bank: Banco do Brasil
Branch: 1769-8
Account: 411396-9
CNPJ: 00343941 / 0001-28
Prefeitura de Petrópolis [Petrópolis municipal government]
Bank: Banco do Brasil
Branch: 0080-9
Account: 76000-5
CNPJ: 29.138.344/0001-43
Campanha SOS Sudeste (CNBB e Cáritas Brasileira)
Bank: Caixa Econômica Federal
Branch: 1041
Operation: 003
Conta: 1490-8