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The State of Rio Grande do Sul is underwater. According to the latest reports published by the state’s Civil Defence, as of 12 noon on Wednesday (the 8th of May), 417 of the 497 municipalities in the area reported issues due to the floods of recent days. A total of 1,456,820 inhabitants have been affected. Around 163,000 people have been displaced, and 66,761 are in shelters. The victims of the storms that hit the region include teachers and support staff who have abandoned their homes and now need help to recover.

According to the latest update, 128 people are still missing, and the number of confirmed deaths has risen to 100.

In addition, several parts of the state are facing problems with power, the internet, water, and even food supplies. In education, 855 schools in 228 municipalities were affected by the storms. It is estimated that the floods have impacted 293,500 students. 421 educational institutions were damaged, and 68 are being used as shelters for displaced residents.

Regional solidarity

The Regional Committee of Education International Latin America issued a statement expressing solidarity with the Confederación Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación de Brasil (CNTE) [National Confederation of Education Workers of Brazil] and the population of Rio Grande do Sul. The statement laments the deaths, material losses, and the impact on indigenous communities. Furthermore, the Regional Committee stresses the role of the climate crisis in the tragedy and urges governments to bolster public investment aimed at combating the climate crisis.

“We reaffirm our commitment to union solidarity and underscore the importance of education as a catalyst in the fight against the climate crisis as set out by Education International in its campaign Teach for the Planet”, the statement concludes.

The situation in Rio Grande do Sul

In an interview published on the CNTE website, Helenir Aguiar Schürer, the president of the Centro de Profesores del Estado de Río Grande do Sul (CPERS [Teachers’ Centre of the State of Rio Grande do Sul], affiliated with the CNTE), provided details on the state’s situation and on how to provide assistance.

• The current situation of the State and supply to the population. In Porto Alegre, a large part of the city is still without water, and many areas lack power. Although the water has slowly receded, more rain is expected. In the southern region of the State, floods are affecting areas such as São Borja and Uruguaiana. There is concern about the rising levels of lagoons, which could merge.
• Assistance provided by the CPERS to affected individuals. The union is housing 19 people at its headquarters because they cannot return home due to the floods. Although the headquarters is without power, the internet connection has been restored. Drinking water needs are being constantly monitored and efforts to provide assistance are being organised.
• Impact on educational personnel. Many union members have suffered significant losses. In cities like Eldorado do Sul and Guaíba, some have lost everything. The full extent of the losses is expected to be known once the water recedes.
• Situation of the schools. Classes have resumed in unaffected municipalities, but in flooded areas, some schools are serving as shelters. In the metropolitan region, including Porto Alegre, classes have not yet resumed. The situation is being evaluated daily in areas like Rio Grande, where the floods persist.
• Solidarity campaigns and donations. The CPERS is cooperating with campaigns by the CNTE and the CUT. Donations of warm clothing, blankets, towels, food, drinking water, and personal hygiene items are needed. There are also challenges relating to cleaning and disease prevention once the waters recede.