Over 50 people have died in Brazil as a result of mudslides in the densely populated south east of the country.
Heavy rains throughout December culminated in storms on Christmas Eve which resulted in mudslides over the festive period that caused celebrations in the region to be abandoned.
The damage centred around the states of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, which have both experienced significant damage.
Sao Paulo state experienced 330mm of rain during December, 160 per cent of the average, with 44mm in the night of the 28th alone.
As a result of the mudslides, 2,000 people have been displaced from their homes for at least 30 days as engineers survey the land for structural stability.
In the meantime the authorities admit that they do not have the capacity to house the people who will be evacuated, and are encouraging people to stay with family where possible.
Another 900 people will have to find alternative shelter in the state of Rio de Janeiro as the authorities demolish 500 homes that are at risk of further landslides.
City officials warned that favela (unplanned slum) housing is vulnerable to extreme weather conditions due to its temporary construction.
New building has been strictly prohibited on 12 of the areas surrounding the city of Rio where slum housing is often constructed.
In the meantime the city will begin the project of building 500 new homes for those who have been evacuated.
BMS mission workers Mark and Suzana Greenwood are based in Rio, and have not been affected by the mudslides, but ask for prayer for those who have.