BRAZIL DISASTER URGENT HELP NEEDED
800 dead – many more missing
Almost two weeks ago a tremendous storm hit Nova Friburgo in Rio de Janeiro State. Fifteen inches of rain fell in a few hours causing huge mudslides of many tons which buried houses, people and cars. Bodies are still being dug out.
Nova Friburgo, a town of over 150,000, has been practically destroyed. There is no clean water, no shops and so no food, no electricity and no fuel. The situation is desperate - we have to help. This is the worst natural disaster in Brazil’s history.
After the storm there were pictures on our television for two days - then the story faded away. But this is when the real work begins. So far, according to survivors, there has been no government help in this area so all the rescue work is being done by firefighters and many volunteers.
We are raising money for the volunteer group working from the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Duas Pedras where families that have lost their homes are being sheltered and fed. The group is also working on the terrible job of search and rescue of missing people, many buried under tons of mud. They are also driving many miles to buy and ferry water and food for the survivors. They desperately need our help.
Our coordinator at the Church is Rafael Franco, known to us personally and he and his team are working round the clock but can only function as long as they have funds.
So please give generously and quickly. All funds received will go to the rescue and relief work – there are no paid staff and only unavoidable costs are deducted. Progress will be reported on the website.
Donations
We can accept donations by Paypal (see below), Charity (CAF) cheques and personal cheques (payable to Rio Atlantic Forest Trust). If you are a UK taxpayer, we can also claim Gift Aid and add 25% to the value of your donation, so please print off this Gift Aid form, fill it in and send it off with your cheque. Thank you for your help.
Richard Warren, Rio Atlantic Forest Trust (Reg. Charity 1057621), The Dovecote, Newgate, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8NW.
PayPal donation
Please fill out the form below, and if you are a qualifying UK taxpayer*, tick the box so that we can claim Gift Aid at no extra cost to yourself.
Your donation will be processed via the Equatorial Plant Company, who are making no charge for this service. PayPal will tell us your name and address, and the amount of your donation, but not your card details. 3.4% of your donation plus 20p will be used to meet PayPal’s fees.
* You must pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April one year to 5 April the next) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that the charity will reclaim on your gifts for that tax year.