The Brazilian community in Noosa has rallied to assist people in Southern Brazil who have been left in desperate need after floods caused immense destruction, loss of lives and destroyed homes and businesses.
The SOS Brazil charitable market has been organised for Sunday 7 July from 10am to 3pm at Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club, with market stalls, kids entertainment, live music, a Brazilian barbecue with coffee and sweet treats and $5 raffle tickets for the chance to win $500 worth of prizes.
According to the Pan American Health Organisation more than 580,000 people have been displaced, with almost 70,000 of them depending on shelters and a total of 2.3 million people have been affected by the torrential rain and floods.
The authorities estimate that the situation will take months or even years to return to normal after torrential rains caused significant flooding and landslides in urban and rural areas of Rio Grande do Sul and two other states (Paraná and Santa Catarina), leading the government to declare a disaster situation.
Official data in June from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the worst-hit state, reported 173 deaths, 38 missing persons, 423,486 displaced individuals, 18,854 people in shelters, and 806 injured.
Brazilians in Noosa are inviting everyone to come to their fundraising event this Sunday at Noosa Dolphins, 1 Bicentennial Drive, Sunshine Beach, from 10am to 3pm. Entry is free.
