Belo Horizonte, Brazil – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is actively supporting local authorities in responding to the severe impacts of heavy rains that recently struck Juiz de Fora, Matias Barbosa, and Ubá in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The downpours have caused significant loss of life, displacement, and widespread damage across the affected areas. According to the State Civil Defense, over 3,500 people have been displaced, with rainfall levels recorded at three times the expected amount for February. The municipality, characterized by hills and mountainous terrain, has already addressed more than 1,400 incidents this month.
Paolo Caputo, IOM Chief of Mission in Brazil, emphasized the importance of ensuring affected communities have access to timely assistance, safe shelter, and essential services. IOM is collaborating closely with national and local authorities to support immediate relief efforts and help affected families, including migrants, recover with dignity. Essential relief items are scheduled for delivery to Juiz de Fora’s municipal authorities, and a dedicated team is being mobilized in partnership with the National Social Assistance Task Force (FORSUAS) to manage and organize shelter facilities for displaced residents.
In addition to direct relief efforts, IOM is supporting a crowdfunding campaign on Vakinha to assist victims of the rains and landslides in Juiz de Fora. Funds raised through the initiative will help provide safe drinking water, hygiene and cleaning supplies, food baskets, and other emergency items. IOM will help implement activities financed by the campaign and continues to support preparedness, response, and longer-term recovery strategies.
IOM has extensive experience responding to severe flooding in Brazil. In 2024, the organization supported more than 1,000 people displaced by floods in Rio Grande do Sul, providing nearly year-long shelter in reception centres in Porto Alegre and Canoas. These centres offered safe and dignified living spaces, meals, child-friendly areas, and basic services to help affected families recover and rebuild their lives.
Operating in Minas Gerais since 2019, IOM has partnered with state and local governments to promote socioeconomic integration of migrants and support voluntary return and reintegration of Brazilian nationals. The organization expresses its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and reaffirms its commitment to supporting ongoing response and recovery efforts in coordination with national and local authorities.
