Brazil

WEFTA is committed to improving WASH in Brazilian communities.

While Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world, occupying half of South America’s landmass, WEFTA is currently working in a small rural settlement on the western edge of the state of Amazonas near the tri-country border area in Brazil.

Most of the Amazon River basin is in Brazil; the Amazon basin is the world’s largest river system and contains the world’s most extensive virgin rainforest. The country’s climate is predominantly tropical and subtropical. Much of the country receives significant rainfall, particularly in the Amazon basin and along the coast. As of 2024, 88% of Brazilians lived in urban areas, and 12% in rural areas. Drinking water sources in Brazil include its extensive river systems and groundwater.

Poor sanitary and housing conditions contribute to health risks, particularly for those living in shantytowns in large cities. Brazil faces endemic diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue, amoebic dysentery, tuberculosis, schistosomiasis, and Chagas disease, which are exacerbated by poor living conditions.

According to United Nations data, as of 2024, 11% of Brazilians lack access to safely managed drinking water services, 45% lack access to safely managed sanitation services, and an unknown percentage lack access to a handwashing facility with soap and water in their homes. WEFTA is committed to improving these statistics through WASH projects in Brazilian communities.

WEFTA projects and programs in Brazil in need of funding:

Sources:

Britannica