Lula Pledges Homes and Federal Aid in Minas Gerais as Flood Death Toll Hits 70

Overview

• On February 28, the president visited Ubá and Juiz de Fora, overflew affected areas, met local leaders and promised full federal support to rebuild.
• Authorities reported 70 deaths and three people missing, with about 700 residents in shelters and more than 3,500 displaced in Juiz de Fora and 25 homeless and 396 displaced in Ubá.
• The Integration Ministry approved R$ 11.3 million for Juiz de Fora, Ubá and Matias Barbosa, and the National Civil Defense recognized calamity there and emergency status in Divinésia and Senador Firmino; residents are authorized to withdraw FGTS and receive advances of Bolsa Família and BPC.
• Housing aid will use the Compra Assistida model so families who lost homes can choose ready properties anywhere in Minas Gerais at no cost to them, and a federal office in Juiz de Fora will coordinate assistance with municipalities.
• Federal teams from social assistance and technical experts on drainage and slope works are deploying as the Cities minister criticized Governor Romeu Zema, saying the state executed about 4% of available prevention funds.