Article originally published in Nexo Jornal, in Portuguese, 03/12/2025

By Karine Ruy (Gerações Foundation) and Paula Jancso Fabiani (IDIS)

January waters once again flood the news and, unfortunately, the cities and homes of hundreds of thousands of Brazilians. In 2021, floods hit southern Bahia; last year, Porto Alegre; and 2025 begins with São Paulo’s seaside and many other regions will face the same reality.

Brazilian climate-related disasters

In the last couple of years, Brazil has faced major climate change-related disasters. In 2021, heavy rains hit southern Bahia, and northern Minas Gerais, causing severe flooding. The government declared a state of emergency in 163 cities, leaving 26 people dead, 520 injured, as well as 28,224 people were left homeless and 73,032 displaced from their homes. 

In May 2024, major parts of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, including the capital Porto Alegre, were affected by severe flooding, leaving 496 cities impacted, 150,000 people displaced and even the state airport underwater for a couple of days. 

This year, heavy rains led to severe flooding in the state of São Paulo, causing transport chaos with many flooded streets and subway stations, as well as fallen trees.

On one side, there is the abundance of water; on the other, droughts. Even Amazon, known for its water availability, faced severe droughts, a cruel metaphor that illustrates the lack of financial resources allocated to emergencies such as these. In a scenario where extreme climate events are becoming more frequent and intense, exposing the vulnerability of our communities, 750,000 Brazilians have already been displaced due to natural disasters, whether being floods, droughts, landslides, among others. Globally, by 2023, the number of people displaced due to climate disasters had already surpassed those displaced by war, repression and violence, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

In this context, giving culture is essential. Strengthening philanthropy is crucial in order to promote initiatives that directly support those affected by climate change. Donations and the work of CSOs (Civil Society Organizations) are often the first responses in times of crisis.

The recent experience in Rio Grande do Sul is an example of this. Several CSOs quickly mobilized to raise funds and help families affected by the floods. We saw a peak in donations and historic mobilization. Even with their headquarters flooded, organizations coordinated volunteers, distributed donations efficiently and raised financial resources to mitigate damages.

Photo of a visit made by the Gerações Foundation to the Camélia Institute after the floods that reached Porto Alegre and the nearby region. [Credit: Marcos Pereira Feição].

However, these actions also highlight existing challenges. Some organizations, for example, lacked enough volunteers to manage the large volume of donations, while others saw a dramatic decline in the incoming flow of financial resources as the tragedy faded away from the media spotlight. This is why knowledge of the territory and the regional outreach of local organizations are essential to ensure that resources efficiently reach those who need them most.

A territorial-focused approach emerges as a systemic and long-lasting solution to connect donors with local organizations. In Rio Grande do Sul, the ‘Fundo Comunitário Porto de Todos’, created by Gerações Foundation, supported local CSOs so that they could resume their activities after the floods. Similar initiatives have already been carried out in other regions, such as the ‘Fundo de Chuvas’, in the city of Florianópolis, created by ICOM (Instituto Comunitário Grande Florianópolis), and the ‘Fundo Brumadinho’, managed by Associação Nossa Cidade, which have demonstrated the effectiveness of this type of strategy.

In our current climate reality, tragedies like these, unfortunately, tend to become more and more common with increasing intensity. Being prepared for the next crisis even before the current one ends is essential. Territorial assessments and the ability of local Community Foundations (CFs) to mobilize multiple resources and assets in a structured way are indispensable tools for dealing with emergencies. Local leaders, with territorial knowledge, therefore play a crucial role in the efficient distribution of resources.

Strategic philanthropy may be the key to swiftly and effectively responding to tragedies. If you want to contribute, donate to local organizations, such as Community Foundations. We know disasters will continue to happen. The difference we can make is in how we respond to them. Supporting those who are already on the territory, with experience and commitment to the community, is the best way to minimize the devastating effects of climate change.