More than 680 people are known to have died in the floods and mudslides that hit the mountain region of Rio de Janeiro state last week after exceptionally heavy rains. It is already Brazil's worst ever natural disaster, and the final number of victims will probably be even higher as the search for bodies is still going on.

The towns worst hit were Nova Friburgo (318 confirmed deaths as of 18 January), Teresópolis (277) and Petrópolis (58) – all about 60 miles north of Rio de Janeiro city.

Many thousands of people are homeless after their houses were destroyed, and much of the region is without electricity.

The Embassy of Brazil has been informed of seven different bank accounts in Brazil that are accepting donations to the ongoing relief effort - see below. Please note that it is not possible to send non-financial donations (clothing, medicines, etc) from outside Brazil.



SOS Teresópolis – Donativos
Bank: Banco do Brasil
Branch: 0741-2
Account: 110000-9
CNPJ – 29.138.369/0001-47


SOS Teresópolis – Donativos
Bank: Caixa Econômica Federal
Branch: 4146
Account: 2011-1
CNPJ – 29.138.369/0001-47


Prefeitura de Nova Friburgo [Nova Friburgo municipal government]
Bank: Banco do Brasil
Branch: 0335-2
Account: 120.000-3


Defesa Civil – RJ [Civil Defence, Rio de Janeiro]
Bank: Caixa Econômica Federal
Branch: 0199
Operation: 006
Account: 2011-0


Viva Rio [Rio de Janeiro-based NGO]
Bank: Banco do Brasil
Branch: 1769-8
Account: 411396-9
CNPJ: 00343941 / 0001-28


Prefeitura de Petrópolis [Petrópolis municipal government]
Bank: Banco do Brasil
Branch: 0080-9
Account: 76000-5
CNPJ: 29.138.344/0001-43


Campanha SOS Sudeste (CNBB e Cáritas Brasileira)
Bank: Caixa Econômica Federal
Branch: 1041
Operation: 003
Conta: 1490-8



Source: Embassy of Brazil in London