Emergency Support to Nikkei Organization in Southern BrazilDecision made to provide support to Nikkei organization in flood-damaged area

Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southernmost state, experienced continued heavy rain beginning in late April, causing major damage from flooding across more than 85% of the state. According to local media reports, the flood damage is the worst that Brazil has ever experienced. Water levels have risen by close to three meters in some places, leaving homes, hospitals, and other facilities flooded for almost one month. With more than a month having passed since the initial flooding occurred, the waters have begun to recede and the extent of the damage has become clear. Roughly 500,000 people across the state continue to live in evacuation shelters, and the damage includes areas with Nikkei (Japanese people who emigrated from Japan to other countries to settle there permanently, and their descendants) communities. We have learned that more than 30 Nikkei families who live near the state capital of Porto Alegre have experienced damage.