Gov’t earmarks BRL 430 mi to tackle Rio Grande do Sul drought
Heavily affected by the drought, Rio Grande do Sul state is going to receive BRL 430 million from Brazil’s federal government. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva approved the allocation of funds during a meeting with ministers at the Alvorada presidential palace Wednesday (Feb. 22).
The money will be used in agriculture, social development, and civil defense. At the assembly, government officials reconsidered the demands of mayors, representatives, city council leaders, and field workers’ associations regarding the efforts to tackle the circumstances in the country’s southernmost state.
On Thursday (23), a delegation of ministers is expected to travel to the area to assess the damage. More than 200 municipalities in the Brazilian South have their situation emergency officially recognized.
During the visit, the authorities should unveil measures to help those affected, including an emergency credit line for small and medium-sized producers. In early February, a committee from the state went to Brasília to call for assistance.
