Acting President Geraldo Alckmin announced the anticipation of Bolsa Família and BPC benefits for families affected by rains in Minas Gerais' zona da mata region. The government will also transfer R$ 800 per displaced person to municipalities for purchasing supplies. The action addresses floods that have left more than 20 dead and thousands displaced in about eight municipalities.
Intense rains hit Minas Gerais' zona da mata region since Monday night (23), causing damage in cities like Juiz de Fora and Ubá. On Tuesday morning (24), the federal government recognized the state of public calamity in Juiz de Fora, with the measure to be published in the Official Gazette of the Union on the same day.
Geraldo Alckmin, who is temporarily occupying the presidency while Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva travels to India and South Korea, made the announcement to the press. "R$ 800 will be transferred per displaced person from each municipality, a value destined to city halls for buying mattresses and other supplies," Alckmin said. The transfer will come from the Ministry of Social Development, though the total investment has not yet been set.
In addition, the government plans to grant Minha Casa Minha Vida program housing to bolster local infrastructure. Ministers Waldez Góes, from Regional Development, and Adriano Massuda, interim Health Minister, met with mayors of the affected areas and Governor Romeu Zema (Novo) to coordinate actions.
The Ministry of Defense deployed helicopters, vehicles, and Army troops to assist the Fire Department and local forces in rescuing victims. Alckmin mentioned talks with Juiz de Fora's mayor, Margarida Salomão (PT), and Ubá's mayor, José Donato (PSD). Lula, meanwhile, phoned Salomão and expressed solidarity via social media, stating federal support.
The region faces high risk of new flooding and landslides. A Cemaden bulletin for Wednesday (25) indicates very high risk for these events, due to saturated soil and forecasts of moderate to heavy rains. If needed, Alckmin or Lula may visit the affected areas.
