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This is a true story of how cryptocurrencies, through Binance Pay, facilitated the efficient distribution of aid to victims of the Rio Grande do Sul floods in Brazil earlier this year.
Binance Pay enables instant transactions with no fuel surcharges, and can be faster and more efficient than traditional payment systems. In emergency situations such as disaster relief, Binance Pay has proven to be a game-changer on multiple occasions.
This story explains how digital assets and Binance Pay can be used for charity, disaster relief, and humanitarian causes.
Torrential rains led to catastrophic flooding, sweeping away homes, livelihoods and lives. By the end of the storm, more than 100,000 people had been displaced, and entire towns were submerged.
Porto Alegre native and Binance co-owner Diogo Mori has used the power of cryptocurrencies and Binance Pay to spur an international humanitarian campaign and provide help and hope to his community during their darkest hours.
Worst floods in Brazil in 80 years
The heavy rains began on April 29, 2024. At first, residents thought they could weather the storm as they had done so many times before. This time, however, was different. A powerful storm, coupled with mismanagement of urban resources, flooded the region beyond its capacity. Rivers swelled beyond their banks, bridges collapsed, and homes were submerged. By May 1, the state of Rio Grande do Sul had declared a national disaster as 114 cities grappled with the unfolding disaster.
Victims flee floods. Source: Diogo Mori's personal archive.
“At first, we thought it was just another rainy season,” Diogo said. “But we soon realized the scale of what we were facing.”
Entire communities have been uprooted, with thousands left with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. Many have taken refuge in churches, gyms or relatives’ homes, while others wait anxiously for rescue. The floods have killed more than 180 people and displaced more than 100,000 as the disaster triggered widespread landslides and a dam collapsed. It is the worst flooding the country has seen in more than 80 years.
Taking action amidst chaos
For Diogo, the disaster was personal. While his home survived, property he normally used for business meetings was damaged. Diogo’s friend’s father, who is deaf and mute, lost his home and car to the floodwaters, leaving him in desperate need of support.
After witnessing all the suffering that surrounded him, Diogo knew he had to act. Together with his friends, Diogo rallied a rescue operation using boats, jet skis, and even surfboards. They braved the treacherous waters to rescue stranded families.
Volunteers work around the clock to provide support. Source: Diogo Mori's personal archive.
“These families were humble and didn’t have much to do at first,” Diogo explained. “Now, they’ve lost everything.”
But while immediate relief was crucial, the community needed more than just manpower. It required funding for supplies like food, water, medicine, and fuel to support the rescue effort. That’s where Diogo turned to cryptocurrency to help speed up relief efforts.
Birth of Bitcoin Campaign
On May 3, Diogo launched a Bitcoin donation campaign through the crowdfunding platform Geyser Fund . His choice of Bitcoin over other cryptocurrencies or traditional funding methods was deliberate. A cryptocurrency advocate, Diogo believes in Bitcoin’s ability to empower communities without having to rely on traditional financial systems and centralized control agents.
