PAHO supports emergency response following flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil – PAHO/WHO

Brasilia, June 17, 2024 – Between late April and May this year, the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil was hit by heavy rains that caused widespread flooding and left 478 localities under water. Nearly 3.4 million people were affected and 179 people died.

Since then, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has worked with the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the Health Secretariat of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, the National Civil Defense and the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul to support the country in addressing the health needs of the affected populations.

This includes supporting the local emergency operations committee in the use of EWARS, a PAHO/WHO early warning, response and alert system. The goal of EWARS is to facilitate early detection and rapid response to pandemic-prone diseases of any origin, in situations where official systems are disrupted.

One of the most dangerous effects of flooding is the diseases that can arise due to stagnant and contaminated water, including acute diarrheal diseases and leptospirosis infections. Early detection and proper treatment are critical to saving lives.

EWARS can be used through a mobile phone application, where information on disease surveillance, community surveillance, environmental and ecological observations, and health-related behavioral information, among others, is entered.

On May 15, authorities began using the early warning system in 15 indigenous villages in Rio Grande do Sul, allowing them to detect outbreaks in their early stages, as well as other health risks for the population.

The villages, which were selected in eight municipalities, including Porto Alegre, the state capital, were identified based on the criteria of being served by the National SUS Force, which is an emergency cooperation program of the Ministry of Health that responds to disease outbreaks and disasters.

To support the country in using the EWARS system, PAHO provided in-person and online training. Participants from the State Health Department and the Indigenous Department of the Ministry of Health (SESAI) then continued to share this knowledge with other workers.

Support for emergency response

Following the floods, PAHO provided vaccination support to Brazil and facilitated the purchase of vaccines against hepatitis A, rabies, measles, mumps, rubella and meningitis through the Organization’s Revolving Fund.

PAHO also worked with the Ministry of Health to provide risk communication materials, including guidelines on how to seek medical care in flooded areas, actions to minimize risks, and recommendations on essential items to take in case of evacuation.

PAHO also donated 100 emergency medical backpacks, containing anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic medications; water purifiers; alcohol; dressings; compresses; and protective equipment such as glasses, gloves, masks and aprons; as well as blood pressure monitors, thermometers and stethoscopes, among other items.

The contents of the backpacks can be used for a variety of disaster-related health issues, including infection control, diagnostics, trauma care, and personal protection tools.

PAHO continues to work with countries in the Americas to provide technical cooperation and support prevention, control, and response to disasters, outbreaks, and other health emergencies.