The PSpecial Survey on the 2024 Floods in Rio Grande do Sul (PEERS), released by the IBGE in September 2025, has reached the final phase of collection. Up to February 27, residents of cities with a low response rate will be contacted by the Institute's agents by the phone (21) 2142-0123.

Currently, calls are being received by residents of households in the municipalities of Alpestre, Bom Princípio, Fontoura Xavier, Ibiaçá, Lajeado do Bugre, Nova Alvorada, Novo Tiradentes, Pinhal, Roca Sales, São Domingos do Sul, São José das Missões, São José do Herval, Triunfo, and Vicente Dutra. As a whole, more than 30,000 households with telephone numbers registered in the 2022 Population Census comprise the PEERS sample, in 133 municipalities affected by the catastrophe.

The survey, which is experimental in nature, aims to understand how people were affected during the floods and, subsequently, how their lives are a year later. The survey is a result of IBGE's participation in the task force created by the Presidency of the Republic to assist Rio Grande do Sul after the disaster, which included the creation of Singed Lab, IBGE's innovation laboratory.

Data collection agents at the IBGE's Computer-Assisted Telephone Interview Center (CETAC) conduct interviews exclusively via the telephone number (21) 2142-0123. As soon as the resident answers, the IBGE agent confirms the person's identity and verifies whether or not they meet the criteria for responding. The informant must have been present at home during the flood period, between April and May 2024, and be at least 14 years old.

Information is collected throught a phone call directly to the informants' cell phones and is confidential as guaranteed by law. The respondent can confirm the agent's identity by calling 0800 721 8181 or by emailing peers@ibge.gov.br.

Special Survey on the 2024 Floods in Rio Grande do Sul (PEERS)

The 2024 floods in Rio Grande do Sul affected different socioeconomic segments of the population. Among the references for the development of this survey are the recommendations of the United Nations Statistical Commission and of the World Bank, as well as international experiences with other climatic events.

The objectives of PEERS are to hone the understanding of the damage suffered during the floods, the socioeconomic characteristics at the time of the floods, and the severity level experienced, in addition to providing knowledge of the type of support demanded and received. Other objectives include understanding the living conditions of the population residing in the municipalities affected in 2024 and the situation one year after the floods.

The topics covered in the survey questionnaire are: Impacts of floods on households: flooding and access, physical damage, interruption of water, electricity and Internet supply, and damage to vehicles and/or loss of high-value goods (furniture, appliances, work equipment, electronic devices); Impacts of floods on surrounding neighborhoods and streets nearby: damaged homes, flooded streets, or destroyed or closed highways, or broken bridges, street conditions (garbage, lighting, security), and public transportation; Household incidents and impacts of floods on residents' lives: rescue (means of transportation used, those responsible for the rescue), emergency assistance (first aid, food or water), medical care and hospitalization/health unit, evacuation, damage/loss of documents, commuting (work/school/daycare or health services), social life and/or interaction with family or friends, and physical or mental health.

Other topics covered in the questionnaire include: Profile of the affected population: date of birth/age and level of education in April 2024, color or race, schooling level, current housing information and reason for relocation, and household income in April 2024; Education and work before and after the floods; Assessment of quality of life today: (whether it worsened or improved after the floods, whether it is better, worse, or the same as before the floods): access to health services and Internet, water supply and electricity, lighting and waste collection, street cleaning, water drainage, sewerage, and public transportation; Public financial assistance related to the floods; and Prevention and recovery (knowledge of measures adopted and opinion on recovery work).

The release of the first results, on an experimental basis, is scheduled for the first half of 2026.