Galvanizing Global Good Will: How Binance Pay Helped Disaster Relief in Brazil

Main Takeaways

• This is a true story of how cryptocurrency, through Binance Pay, facilitated efficient aid distribution for victims of the Rio Grande do Sul flooding in Brazil earlier this year. 

• Binance Pay enables instant, gas-fee-free transactions, which can be faster and more efficient than traditional payment systems. In emergency-related situations such as disaster relief, Binance Pay has proven to be a game changer on multiple occasions.

• This story illustrates how digital assets and Binance Pay can be used for charity, disaster relief, and humanitarian causes. Read on to find out more. 

When in late April 2024 torrential rains battered Porto Alegre and the surrounding areas of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, no one could have anticipated the devastation that was to come. What began as heavy rain escalated into catastrophic flooding, sweeping away homes, livelihoods, and lives. By the end of the storm, over 100,000 people were displaced, and entire towns were left submerged. 

Diogo Mury, a Binance Angel and a Porto Alegre local, used the power of cryptocurrency and Binance Pay to galvanize an international humanitarian campaign and bring aid and hope to his community during its darkest hour.

The Worst Brazilian Flooding in 80 Years

The relentless downpour began on April 29, 2024. At first, residents believed they could weather the storm as they had done many times before. However, this time was different. A powerful storm, combined with poor urban resource management, overwhelmed the region past its carrying capacity. Rivers swelled beyond their banks, bridges collapsed, and homes were engulfed in water. By May 1, the state of Rio Grande do Sul declared a public calamity as 114 cities grappled with the unfolding disaster.

Victims escaping flood. Source: Diogo Mury’s personal archives. 

“Initially, we thought it was just another rainy season,” Diogo recounted. “But soon, we realized the magnitude of what we were facing.” 

Entire communities were uprooted, and thousands were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Many took shelter in churches, gyms, or the homes of relatives, while others waited desperately for rescue.The flooding resulted in over 180 fatalities, and more than 100,000 people were displaced as the disaster caused widespread landslides and a dam collapse. It is considered the country's worst flooding in over 80 years.

Taking Action Amid the Chaos

For Diogo, the disaster was personal. While his own home was spared, a property he often used for business meetings was damaged. The father of Diogo’s friend, who is deaf and mute, lost his home and car to the floodwaters, leaving him in dire need of support. 

Witnessing firsthand all the suffering around him, Diogo knew he had to act. Together with friends, Diogo mobilized a rescue operation using boats, jet skis, and even surfboards. They braved treacherous waters to save stranded families.

Volunteers working around the clock to deliver support. Source: Diogo Mury’s personal archives.

“These were humble families who had little to begin with,” Diogo explained. “Now, they have lost everything.”

But while the immediate rescue was critical, the community needed more than just manpower. It required funding for supplies like food, water, medicine, and fuel to sustain rescue efforts. That’s when Diogo turned to cryptocurrency to help expedite his relief efforts.

The Birth of a Bitcoin Campaign 

On May 3, Diogo launched a Bitcoin donation campaign through the crowdfunding platform Geyser Fund. His choice of BTC over other cryptocurrencies or traditional funding methods was deliberate. A cryptocurrency advocate, Diogo believes in Bitcoin’s ability to empower communities without the need to rely on traditional financial systems and agents of centralized control.

“Bitcoin represents financial freedom,” Diogo summarized.

The campaign quickly gained traction, raising approximately 4,733,832 sats, or close to $3,000 worth of BTC, within days. The team transferred the funds via Lighting Network to community leaders, who then used Binance Pay to distribute funds to the flood victims. These leaders helped people in need to open Binance accounts to receive the donation, and the efficient identity verification process ensured that these new accounts were up and running quickly.

According to Diogo and his team, Binance Pay proved to be an excellent tool for this model of rapid financing. The transactions were instant and gas-fee-free, which was crucial for getting aid to those who needed it without any delays or additional costs.

The donated Bitcoin was then converted into the local fiat currency, Brazilian real (BRL), to buy food, water, medicine, and fuel. These supplies were vital for both ongoing rescue operations and supporting displaced families.

From cryptocurrency donation to real-world supplies for disaster relief. Source: Diogo Mury’s personal archives.

Binance Pay: A Game-Changer in Disaster Relief

While Bitcoin donations kickstarted the relief efforts, Binance Pay became instrumental in the later stages. 

After community representatives received BTC donations via Lightning Network, they worked to onboard flood victims onto Binance, helping them set up Binance accounts to receive fund transfers via Binance Pay.

The platform’s low transaction fees, speed, and ease of use made it the perfect tool for distributing aid. For many recipients, this was their first experience with cryptocurrency. Binance Pay not only provided immediate relief but also introduced them to the practical benefits of blockchain and cryptocurrencies in facilitating immediate, transparent, and secure transactions. 

Binance Charity’s Unprecedented Support

Simultaneously, Diogo helped amplify public awareness of the official Binance Charity’s campaign that pledged to donate up to $1 million in BNB to flood victims who were already registered Binance users. Those members of the Binance community who were identified as residing in the flood-affected areas received crypto donations directly into their Binance accounts.

This initiative bypassed the inefficiencies and delays often associated with traditional disaster relief channels. By leveraging blockchain technology, Binance ensured transparency and accountability in funds distribution.

“Binance Charity’s campaign was one of the biggest pledged donation campaigns for this disaster,” Diogo said. “We as a community are immensely grateful for Binance’s quick action when we needed it the most.”

Still a Long Road to Recovery

While the initial wave of donations brought much-needed relief, the road to recovery remains arduous up to this day. Many families who could not afford to relocate were forced to return to their flood-damaged homes. Others moved to safer areas near the coast.

Today, life has regained some semblance of normalcy, but Diogo acknowledges the deep scars left by the disaster.

“Rebuilding after a disaster like this will take years,” he admits. “The impact of the floods is so profound that resources are still being distributed months later.”

Despite the challenges, the community’s resilience, bolstered by global support, remains unbroken. Diogo is finalizing the audit of donations to ensure that whatever funds remain reach those in need.

Diogo’s team and his community members. Source: Diogo Mury’s personal archives.

Crypto in Humanitarian Efforts

This story underscores the transformative power of cryptocurrency in disaster relief. Traditional bank transfers could have been slow and costly, in contrast to the speed and efficiency of Binance Pay.

“Technology, when used correctly, can be a force for immense good,” Diogo aptly concludes.

The floods also highlighted the importance of technological and financial preparedness. Diogo’s efforts to onboard survivors onto Binance and teach them about cryptocurrency will ensure that moving forward, they will be equipped with the financial tools of the future. 

The flooding in Porto Alegre was a tragedy of immense magnitude, but it also revealed the strength of human compassion and innovation. The success of Diogo’s Binance Pay campaign and Binance Charity’s initiative offer a blueprint for future disaster relief efforts. By combining grassroots activism with cutting-edge technology, they demonstrate how decentralized systems can provide rapid, transparent, and impactful aid.

This story is submitted by a Binance Pay user. It is based on a personal experience and does not represent the views of Binance or constitute financial or investment advice. The content is for general informational purposes only, and individual experiences with Binance Pay may vary. Please conduct your own research and consult with a financial professional before making any decisions related to cryptocurrency or digital payments.

Binance Pay is a contactless, borderless, and secure cryptocurrency payment technology designed by Binance. It allows users to pay, send, and receive payments in over 300 cryptocurrencies from friends and family worldwide. Binance Pay has partnered with thousands of merchants all over the world to enable users to shop with over 80 crypto tokens globally. Popular tokens supported include USDT, USDC, BTC, BNB, ETH, SOL, ADA, XRP, DOGE, LTC, SHIB, PEPE.  Find out how to use Binance Pay here. 

Further Reading 

• Binance Charity and Children of Heroes Foundation: Providing a Space to Heal for Ukrainian Children

• Binance Charity to Donate up to $1 Million in BNB to Users in the Flood-Impacted Cities in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

• Medical Aid Cross Borders: How Binance Pay Helped Save a Life