In January 2011, torrential rains hit southeastern Brazil, including the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The resulting floods and landslides have caused devastation in many communities in the Serrana region, leading to at least 863 deaths and making it the second-worst disaster in Brazil's recorded history. According to Brazil's Civil Defense, 9,919 people have been left homeless and are currently living in public shelters. 91,848 people in 24 municipalities have been affected.  In the city of Teresópolis alone, 5,058 people have been left homeless and 6,210 people have been displaced.

Individuals and communities that were already socially vulnerable, especially children, women and low-income people living in densely populated flood zones, have been disproportionately affected. Damage to homes and bridges has been extensive.  Individuals who had home-based microenterprises that were destroyed by the floods have lost their livelihoods.

The Resource Foundation is coordinating with its local partner organizations in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, which have identified the immediate needs of the populations they serve and are developing initiatives to support medium to long-term recovery efforts.

Examples include the following:

• Aldeias Infantis SOS has established a temporary shelter in Nova Friburgo to house orphan children in the areas affected by the floods, including basic medicine, potable water and food and is working with the broader community to provide emergency supplies.

• Cáritas Brasileira will provide immediate relief to 5,000 affected families through the distribution of food, hygiene kits and basic needs.  The second stage of this project will support 200 families to repair their houses or build new ones as well as to develop community-based economic development projects.

• AVAPE (Associação para Valorização e Promoção de Excepcionais/The Association for Valuing and Promoting persons with Disabilities) will provide professional training in the areas of information technology and communications to individuals affected by the floods and landslides.

• Cruz Vermelha Brasileira (Red Cross) seeks to provide medium-term disaster relief support to families provide vocational training, education and capacity building to rural farming families in Nova Friburgo.