Thank you for taking the time to visit this site. 100% of all funds raised here will be used to directly help the flood victims in Palmares, Brazil, a small town hit particularly hard by the recent floods.

You can donate in two ways:

(1) Straight funds by credit card, PayPal or checking account
(2) Purchase product(s) using the same payment methods

Due to favorable exchange rates any amount will help. The payment process is safe and secure. Please donate today.

Not convinced this cause is for you? Please read on below:

WHAT IS THE CAUSE?

The once beautiful and clean cobblestone streets of Palmares are now mud-covered cesspools that ooze an awful stench. The colorful houses are largely damaged or missing altogether, along with many of their inhabitants. Food, water, and other basic supplies are scarce during what is now the middle of their winter. The proud town with a rich culture and long history is unrecognizable in recent pictures that look more like a dirty war zone than a sleepy farm town.

The intent of this site is to raise funds for flood relief efforts in Palmares, Brazil, a town which was hit especially hard by the recent floods. Current estimates place missing/death tolls at over 600 and more than 120,000 displaced from their destroyed homes. A large percentage of those are being reported from Palmares, a town of less than 60,000 people.

IS THE GOVERNMENT TAKING CARE OF IT?

The Brazilian government does not have the kind of relief resources, organizations or experience we enjoy here in the US. For example, they have pledged to donate a total of $56 million in the relief effort, a very small fraction of what is spent in the US on similar efforts.

Also, Palmares is small and very remote. Most of the relief efforts have gone to larger towns and cities and has yet to reach Palmares in any significant way. Furthermore, while the government will provide food drops and eventually pay to repair roads and public buildings, there is no long term relief for those who have lost their homes or businesses.

HOW WILL THE FUNDS GET TO BRAZIL?

100% of all funds donated will be deposited into a US bank account from which they can be accessed in Palmares. The exchange fees will be nominal and no money will be paid to anyone for any transfer or administrative services.

HOW WILL THE MONEY BE MANAGED / USED?

The money will be managed by Luciana Falcon. Her father is the former mayor of Palmares and owns an accounting firm in the town. They will manage and distribute the money in a most efficient and beneficial manner.

Funds raised will be used in the short term to provide for basic needs (food, water, toiletries, etc.) and any remaining funds will be used to rebuild homes destroyed by the floods.

IS THIS SITE SAFE AND SECURE?

Yes! This site is absolutely secure and uses the same level of encryption used by banks to transfer money. This website is being provided at no cost by FrontRunner Fundraising, a BBB accredited business which has helped many worthy causes. You can learn more by clicking on their logo at the bottom of this page.

WHO ARE YOU?

My name is Matt Fletcher. I am an American who served a mission in Brazil from 1991 to 1993. I spent the last 8 months of that time in the town of Palmares where I made many friends and grew to love the people. They are as humble, hard-working and happy a people as you will find anywhere.

I have kept in touch with some of these friends over the years. One in particular recently wrote me about the desperate situation:

[Translated from Portuguese] "I am writing to ask for help, it can be any amount. Palmares was destroyed by a flood. The town was destroyed and our house: the bed, the mattress, the sofa, everything. If you want to see the condition of the town go to this website (www.girope.com.br). I await your response."

WHY SO MUCH DAMAGE IN PALMARES?

Most of the buildings in Palmares are made of cement brick. Many of the homes are built by the owners themselves by mixing the cement, pouring it into forms and letting it dry in the sun right in the street. These buildings are more susceptible to damage from floods and other natural disasters. Palmares also has many hills which channel rain and contribute to dangerous mud slides. See pictures and more info in links below.

LINKS FOR MORE INFO:

Palmares Flood Pictures - http://www.girope.com.br./noticias.php?id=8277
News Story - http://www.girope.com.br./noticias.php?id=8277