Heavy rains that began on January 16, 2025, have triggered severe flooding in Santa Catarina, Brazil, leaving hundreds homeless and displaced. In response, ADRA, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, in partnership with the Caleb Mission Project, is intensifying relief efforts to assist those in need.

ADRA prepared to distribute a total of 166 mattresses across three municipalities within its regional coverage: 62 to Ilhota, 50 to Camboriú and 54 to São José. Ilhota, located in the Itapema region about 84 kilometers from the state capital of Florianópolis, has become a focal point of these efforts. Members of the local Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ilhota have offered food, assisted with home cleanups, and delivered donations, including mattresses.

According to the Civil Defense of Santa Catarina, more than 1,000 people have been forced to leave their homes since the rains began, with at least 13 cities—including the state capital—significantly impacted. ADRA’s support is expected to grow in the coming days, bolstered by supplies from the Rio Grande do Sul office, where personnel previously dealt with major flooding in May 2024.

Church leaders say the ongoing relief operation underscores a commitment to providing both immediate assistance and ongoing support for affected families, reflecting ADRA's broader mission to serve communities in crisis around the globe.

About ADRA

ADRA is the global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Operating in more than 120 countries, ADRA seeks to empower communities through sustainable development initiatives and emergency relief. Guided by the principles of compassion, justice, and service, ADRA’s programs focus on improving quality of life by addressing immediate needs and tackling the root causes of poverty.

The original article was published on the South American Division Portuguese website.