Taking stock of Brazilian Federal Government’s tireless support to Rio Grande do Sul

To help the population of Rio Grande do Sul face one of the biggest natural disasters in Brazilian history, the Federal Government has adopted a series of immediate actions and mobilized a number of the ministries to support the state since the flooding began. Many resources have been allocated to the recovery of Rio Grande do Sul. Find out more here.

Within the scope of the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development [Ministério da Integração e do Desenvolvimento Regional/MIDR], to date BRL 758.2 million and 818 work plans have been approved to serve 253 municipalities.

Among the approved plans, 183 have been simplified —114 for humanitarian assistance and 69 towards supplies for pets. Moreover, 358 plans are for restoration; 129 for humanitarian aid; and 148 for reconstruction.

Check out below the main actions of the Federal Government to support Rio Grande do Sul:

• Auxílio Reconstrução

On May 15, the Federal Government announced Auxílio Reconstrução [Reconstruction Aid], a program that will provide BRL 5.1 thousand—in a single installment—to families left homeless or displaced by the disaster.

The benefit was created to help recover properties lost in floods. There is no predetermined use attached to those funds. The sum may be used in any way the beneficiaries see fit.

A total of 444 cities have been recognized by the Federal Government for facing a state of emergency or public calamity. This status recognition is a precondition for the release of emergency funds for families in the disaster areas.

The deadline for municipalities to register families that are entitled to the Auxílio Reconstrução benefit on the website is July 26.

The Federal Government expects to serve 375 thousand families in Rio Grande do Sul, representing BRL 1.9 billion in resources for the benefit. Initially, the allocated funds totaled BRL 1.23 billion for 240 thousand families. Following publication of Provisional Measure No. 1,235, the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development was granted an extraordinary credit of over BRL 689.6 million. As a result, another 135,000 families have been benefited.

• Rio Grande do Sul's Debt Forgiveness and Suspension with the Union

The Federal Government has suspended the debt that Rio Grande do Sul owes the Union for three years, releasing BRL 11 billion for a state reconstruction fund. Additionally, it granted interest exemption on the debt stock for the same period, which represents a forgiveness of BRL 12 billion. Find out more here.

The measures are regulated by Complementary Law No. 206, of May 16, 2024, which, despite having emerged for the specific situation of flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, may be applied to any federative entity affected by a state of public calamity resulting from extreme weather events acknowledged by the National Congress upon proposal by the federal Executive Branch. More information here.

• Renegotiation of company debts / BRL 1.6 billion credit line

The Federal Government, through Finep, has launched an emergency program to renegotiate the debts of companies affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul: special renegotiation conditions and temporary suspension — for up to 12 months — of interest payments, payment of remuneration taxes and principal of loans contracted in the direct modality.

This measure is known in the market as Stand Still, and is part of an umbrella of actions called FINEP EMERGÊNCIA CLIMÁTICA [FINEP CLIMATE EMERGENCY]  aimed at helping the people of Rio Grande do Sul. Find out more here and visit the program page here.

Furthermore, on May 29, Finep approved a BRL 1.6 billion credit line in support of the productive and innovation capacity of companies affected by the floods. This line will be operated by financial agents operating in Rio Grande do Sul — such as Badesul, Banrisul, BRDE, and Cresol — and will grant financing under attractive conditions to companies that meet the following requirements:

Company is headquartered or has a branch in Rio Grande do Sul, and investments are made in the state;

Company has been affected by the extreme weather event;

Company has a history of innovation.

Find out more here.

• Creation of the Extraordinary Secretariat of the Presidency to Support the Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul

The Extraordinary Secretariat of the Presidency to Support the Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul [Secretaria Extraordinária de Apoio à Reconstrução do Rio Grande do Sul] was created around a central goal: to help face the public calamity and provide support for the reconstruction of the state.

The secretariat, which has the status of a ministry, coordinates the actions to be carried out by the Federal Government in planning, articulating, and promoting technical studies alongside the Office of the Chief of Staff [Casa Civil], competent ministries, specialized public or private bodies and entities, as well as civil society. Find out more here.

• Extraordinary credit of BRL 1.8 billion

The Federal Government, by means of Provisional Measure No. 1,223/2024, has authorized BRL 1,828,262,094.00 in new extraordinary credit for measures to support reconstruction efforts in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Among the funds is authorization of the extra installment of the Municipal Participation Fund [Fundo de Participação dos Municípios/FPM]: BRL 189,856,138. With the increase, the resources announced by the government reach BRL 62.5 billion.

Expenses have also been included in works and services for the resumption of activities in universities and federal institutes (BRL 22,626,909); to strengthen comprehensive and free legal assistance (BRL 13,831,693); to support emergency services and connectivity (BRL 27,861,384); for inspection and environmental emergency actions (BRL 26,000,000); for the acquisition of equipment for Protective Councils [Conselhos Tutelares] (BRL 1,000,000); for Civil Defense actions (BRL 269,710,000); for Auxílio Reconstrução (BRL 1,226,115,000); and for integrated actions by the Federal Police and the Federal Highway Police and the National Public Security Force [Força Nacional de Segurança Pública] (BRL 51.260.970). Find out more here.

• BRL 15 billion in credit lines for business people

Legal entities of all sizes, cooperatives, rural producers, independent cargo transporters, and individual entrepreneurs from municipalities in a state of public calamity in Rio Grande do Sul can access the BRL 15 billion resources from BNDES Emergencial.

The lines of credit are for those who suffered economic and social losses as a result of extreme weather events and, referring to the calamity decree in 95 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul. Find out more here.

• Support to companies

On May 29, the Federal Government took stock of one month of actions in favor of Rio Grande do Sul. Below is a list of the following measures to support companies.

- Public banks suspended payment of financing for 12 months (BNDES, Caixa, Banco do Brasil, and Finep).

- Federal tax collection was extended for up to 3 months, for both individuals and legal entities.

- For micro and small companies, a credit line of BRL 30 billion was made available with a guarantee fund and a subsidy of BRL 1 billion.

- For small and medium-sized companies, a BRL 5 billion credit line was made available with a guarantee fund.

- For family farming and medium producers, a BRL 4 billion credit line was made available through equalization and subsidy.

• BRL 17,5 billion in extraordinary credit

Through a new provisional measure published on June 18, the Federal Government authorized more than BRL 17.5 billion in extraordinary credit for Rio Grande do Sul. The new sum is being distributed across five axes that help companies, rural producers, and citizens who had their homes destroyed or damaged following the heavy rains that hit Rio Grande do Sul. The resources are for the ministries of Finance [Fazenda], Cities [Cidades], Ports and Airports [Portos e Aeroportos], in addition to official credit operations. Find out more here.

• Food baskets

The Federal Government has coordinated the delivery of basic food baskets to solidarity kitchens, which prepare meals for families affected by the floods, and for humanitarian aid.

According to data from the ministries of Social Development and Assistance, Family, and the Fight Against Hunger [Ministério do Desenvolvimento e Assistência Social, Família e Combate à Fome/MDS] and of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture [Ministério do Desenvolvimento Agrário e Agricultura Familiar/MDA], BRL 30.6 million have been allocated to purchasing food baskets (MP nº1 .218, of May 11, 2024). By July 12, more than 103,625 thousand baskets (2,227 tons) had been distributed.

• Guaranteed and unified Bolsa Família

All information qualifying measures by Brazil’s Unified Registry (CadÚnico) have been suspended. Thus, everyone that is currently part of the program is guaranteed to continue until December 2024. The Federal Government has also ensured that payments be made in unison on the first day of the calendar month until the end of this year.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Social Development and Assistance, Family, and Combating Hunger (MDS) has included new families in its programs, and is working to reverse cancellations of beneficiaries who regularized their data within CadÚnico.

Around 14 thousand families identified as eligible for the Bolsa Família benefit were included in July 2024. Adding up the inclusions and re-inclusions carried out between the months of May and July, MDS has served more than 61 thousand families in the state, representing an investment of BRL 44 million per month.

Find out more about Bolsa Família in Rio Grande do Sul here.

• Social security benefits / 13th salary

The Federal Government released the payment of social security benefits and the second installment of the thirteenth salary for the population of Rio Grande do Sul.

Due to the natural disasters that occurred in Rio Grande do Sul, payments to policyholders who receive assistance and social security benefits from Social Security (the INSS), which would be credited from May 24 to June 7, were made on the first day of the payment calendar. The second installment of the 13th salary advance also followed the same schedule.

To see the list of municipalities whose calendars were advanced, click here.

• Field hospitals

On May 31, 2024, the Federal Government had 13 field hospitals, distributed in different cities in Rio Grande do Sul, to guarantee medical care to the population.

According to data from the Ministry of Defense [Ministério da Defesa/MD], it is estimated that 44,049 people had been assisted as of July 4.

- Installations linked to the Ministry of Health [Ministério da Saúde/FN SUS]: Canoas, Porto Alegre, São Leopoldo, and Novo Hamburgo.

- Installations linked to the Brazilian Army [Exército Brasilero/EB]: Porto Alegre, São Leopoldo, Estrela, Eldorado do Sul, and Guaíba.

- Installations linked to the Brazilian Navy [Marinha do Brasil/MB]: Rio Grande, and Atlantic Aircraft Ship.

- Installations linked to the Brazilian Air Force [Força Aérea Brasileira/FAB]: two hospitals in Canoas.

• Donation collection

According to data from Correios, there are more than 10 thousand units, including its own and outsourced agencies, available to receive donations destined for Rio Grande do Sul. A survey carried out on July 12 indicated the collection of 30,840 tons in donations.

Furthermore, the Brazilian Air Force has been working, as of April 30, on Operation Taquari II. Among the activities carried out is operational support in the separation and transportation of donations. Find out more here.

• Unblocking highways

Since the beginning of the actions in support of Rio Grande do Sul, the Federal Government has worked to free up the highways. On the Ministry of Transport [Ministério dos Transportes/MT] website, an interactive map shows the progress of the recovery of federal roads listing where there are blockages, closures, and what is already open. Find out more here.

• Paths for offering aid

The Federal Government developed an emergency plan to reestablish road flow on strategic routes. The so-called “assistance paths” were designed to provide assistance to the population of Rio Grande do Sul, contributing to rescue efforts, for example, and to guarantee the supply of essential products, such as water, food, fuel, and medicine.

• Toll exemption

The Federal Government took a series of measures to facilitate the transport of donations and the movement of passengers in Rio Grande do Sul. For example, through Ordinance DG nº 112, of May 9, 2024, of the National Land Transport Agency [Agência Nacional de Transportes Terrestres/ANTT] a set of measures was formalized, including:

- Exemption from toll fees for official vehicles in operational procedures to serve the affected population;

- Exemption from toll fees for road freight transport vehicles transporting donations, as long as they are accompanied by official vehicles;

- Priority service and exemption from inspection at Vehicle Weighing Stations for road freight transport vehicles carrying donations;

- Flexibility in road passenger transport;

- Recommendation for federal highway concessionaires to facilitate the flow of road freight transport vehicles transporting donations.

• Medication kits and supplies for public calamities

The Federal Government has already delivered 135 emergency kits to serve Rio Grande do Sul. Each kit has 32 types of medicine and 16 types of supplies, such as gloves, syringes, and bandages. Until May 29, 8 million units of medicines and supplies were delivered to the state.

• Power restoration

Since the beginning of the support actions for Rio Grande do Sul, the Federal Government has worked to quickly restore energy. According to data from the Ministry of Mines and Energy [Ministério de Minas e Energia/MME], by June 21, the reconnection of 561 thousand customers had been registered and, on June 28, the electricity supply had been normalized across the state.

• Internet restoration

The Federal Government organized a task force to reestablish essential services in Rio Grande do Sul. On May 14, the Ministry of Communications [Ministério das Comunicações/MCom] reported that all cities in Rio Grande do Sul had some type of connectivity in operation (telephone signal and internet), meaning no municipality was 100% disconnected.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Social Development and Assistance, Family, and the Fight Against Hunger signed an agreement with Telecomunicações Brasileiras S.A. (Telebras) to offer better internet connectivity to the affected cities. On June 27, seven of the 15 planned transportable antennas were already in operation. The equipment can also be used on vessels, as they do not require the use of electrical energy.

The antennas help employees who work for the MDS and municipal governments in including and updating people in the Unified Registry (CadÚnico), a requirement for receiving benefits such as Bolsa Família, for example.

Telebras is also supporting actions by the Federal Public Defender's Office [Defensoria Pública da União/DPU] aimed at families in situations of social vulnerability. The company is providing antennas that provide access to satellite internet during the Public Defender's Office’s services, which occur within the Caravan of Rights for the Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul.

To find out more about the Caravan, please click here.

• Multipurpose ship for assistance and healthcare

The Brazilian Navy's Atlantic Multipurpose Aerodrome docked on May 11 at the port of Rio Grande, in the south of the state. With it, 1,350 military personnel, 154 tons of donations, two water treatment plants with the capacity to produce 20 thousand liters of drinking water per hour, 38 vehicles, 24 small boats and three helicopters were made available.

• Assistance to indigenous peoples

Nine thousand indigenous families (around 30 thousand people) affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul were identified, in 214 communities. The Federal Government will deliver nine thousand food baskets to these families every 15 days.

In partnership with the Ministry of Women [Ministério das Mulheres], there will also be work to deliver personal hygiene kits with items aimed at women's needs.

Additionally, in June, the Ministry of Health began distributing 500 water purifiers and four water treatment plants to affected indigenous populations. The measure will assist more than 30 communities in Rio Grande do Sul.

• Assistance to quilombolas, Romani communities, and religious communities of African descent

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Racial Equality [Ministério da Igualdade Racial/MIR], constantly works to map and monitor quilombola communities, traditional peoples, religious and other communities of African origin, and Romani people who have been directly or indirectly affected by the extreme weather events in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

A total of 8,155 food baskets had been delivered to quilombola communities as of July 5.

Additionally, 280 baskets were delivered to Romani families and 808 baskets to people of African descent and African religious communities.

The MIR has an exclusive page to present support measures for the population of Rio Grande do Sul here.

• Donations from abroad

On May 10, the Federal Government announced the suspension of legal restrictions on the import of used goods through donations, so that Rio Grande do Sul may receive the humanitarian aid that is being sent from other countries. In general, the import of used consumer goods is prohibited, while the import of used capital goods (machinery and equipment) can only be done in the absence of national production. Find out more here.

The government has also worked to speed up the transportation of donations from abroad. Brazil received donations through flights that took off from Portugal, the US, the United Arab Emirates, France, the UK, Germany, and Colombia. All donations are sent to Rio Grande do Sul after easy customs processing, thanks to the Receita Via Rápida [Rapid Revenue] initiative by the Federal Revenue Secretariat [Secretaria da Receita Federal]. Find out more here and here.

Moreover, an account was opened at Banco do Brasil to receive international donations. The bank will not charge administrative fees on credit operations for donations made to this account, both in Brazil and abroad. Donors who choose to use the services of other financial institutions must negotiate shipping costs directly with these institutions, including the time required to complete sending the funds. Find out more here.

• Government offices in Rio Grande do Sul and Brasília

To coordinate support measures for Rio Grande do Sul families, the Federal Government created two command centers to guide teams from ministries and other bodies. A situation room was set up in Brasília on May 2, with daily meetings; on May 6, a monitoring office was opened in Porto Alegre.

Located at the headquarters of Caixa Econômica Federal bank in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, the space guarantees more agility in decision-making and easy coordination among federal teams and the state and municipal spheres dedicated to helping families and rebuilding the state. Find out more here.

• Postponement of the Unified National Public Tender

The Unified National Public Service Exam [Concurso Público Nacional Unificado/CPNU] has been postponed across Brazil. The registration confirmation card with details about the test locations will be released on August 7, with the test scheduled for Sunday, August 18. Final results will be released by November 21, and the call for inauguration should begin in January 2025.

A refund is available for those who wish to withdraw from taking the test on the new date; there is also a provision for extraordinary application of the test in the event of new disasters.

Candidates who live in Rio Grande do Sul who were scheduled to take the test in other states or candidates living in other states who would take the test in Rio Grande do Sul may request to change the test location.

The period for requesting refunds (for any registered candidate), and for changing the test location (for those who live in Rio Grande do Sul and would take the test in another state, or for those from another state and would take the test in Rio Grande do Sul), went from July 5 to 7.

To request change of the test location, candidates must have: 1) indicated, at the time of registration, residence in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and, also at the time of registration, chose to take the test outside the state of Rio Grande do Sul; and 2) indicated, at the time of registration, their residence outside the state of Rio Grande do Sul and, also at the time of registration, chose to take their tests in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

The Exam will bring together more than 2.1 million candidates competing for 6,640 vacancies for 21 federal public administration bodies.

Additional information can be found on the official CPNU website here.

• Changes to Enem and Encceja

The Federal Government guaranteed all residents of Rio Grande do Sul exemption from the registration fee for the National High School Exam [Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio/Enem] 2024. Additionally, a new calendar was presented, with an extra period for residents to register in the state, from June 16 to 21.

The tests will be administered on November 3 and 10, but the Ministry of Education [Ministério da Educação/MEC] is assessing the need to open a new date for participants from Rio Grande do Sul.

MEC also made changes to the calendar of the National Examination for Certification of Skills for Young People and Adults [Exame Nacional para Certificação de Competências de Jovens e Adultos/Encceja], introducing a new registration period specifically for people living in Rio Grande do Sul. The extended deadline was from May 13 to 24.

Find out more here.

• Cooking gas for community kitchens

The Federal Government, through negotiations mediated by the General Secretariat of the Republic [Secretaria-Geral da República/SG/PR], the Ministry of Mines and Energy [Ministério de Minas e Energia/MME], and the National Supply Company [Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento/Conab], was met with a very important demand: the National Union of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Distribution Companies [Sindicato Nacional das Empresas Distribuidoras de Gás Liquefeito de Petróleo/Sindigás) guaranteed that, for 90 days, the distribution companies will supply free cooking gas to community kitchens in Rio Grande do Sul.

At least 9 thousand cylinders are expected to be delivered during the period to produce meals for those affected by the catastrophe.

Find out more here and here.

• Mapping of housing needs in municipalities

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Cities [Ministério das Cidades], is offering a digital form to register the housing needs of municipalities affected by the climate tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul. In the document, which will serve as a starting point for planning the restructuring of cities, municipal entities will be able to enter initial estimates of housing needs, information that will be used as a basis for mapping housing solutions.

Among the information being collected is data on the number of completely or partially destroyed properties in urban and rural areas, and the average monthly income of directly affected families. Find out here.

• Rescuing individuals and animals / Operation Taquari 2

The Federal Government, under the coordination of the Ministry of Defense [Ministério da Defesa], has military personnel from the Navy, Army and Air Force directly involved in supporting the affected regions in Rio Grande do Sul, through Operation Taquari 2.

The measures include the use of vessels (ships, speedboats and boats), aircraft (planes and helicopters), and drones to locate people at risk; field hospitals; as well as vehicles and engineering equipment.

• Care for animals affected by the floods

The Federal Government prepared 40 veterinary kits to offer care to up to 8,800 animals in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

The kits contain emergency medicines, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, dewormers, tick treatments, disease tests, microchips for identification, and food supplements.

In addition to helping animals in temporary shelters, the supplies will reinforce the control of zoonoses that can affect human health.

The Federal Government also sent 188 tons of feed for the state's animals. Find out more here.

• Economic recovery through tourism

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Tourism [Ministério do Turismo/MTur], is aligning measures related to the economic recovery of Rio Grande do Sul through tourism.

Among the measures initiated is the provision of BRL 200 million from the General Tourism Fund [Fundo Geral de Turismo/Novo Fungetur] aimed at granting financing with special conditions to affected tourist activities. The resources can be used for working capital, purchase of equipment, and renovation and expansion works.

Another initiative is the awareness campaign “Não Cancele, Reagende!” [Don’t Cancel, Reschedule!”] launched in May to encourage tourists to reschedule trips to Rio Grande do Sul to other periods.

It is also worth highlighting, as an emergency measure, the organization of a special air network to provisionally meet the state's needs. For example, the expansion of Caxias do Sul airport and the creation of a medium-sized airport in the cities of Torres and Canela are under debate.

On another front, the Federal Government will give visibility to Rio Grande do Sul's tourist attractions at major international festivals to promote tourism in the region. As an honoree at the International Tourism Fair, which takes place in Buenos Aires in September, Brazil will prioritize the promotion of the state's attractions. The government is also working so that the International Tourism Fair scheduled for January 2025 in Madrid, Spain, pays homage to tourism in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

On July 8, Law No. 14,917/2024 was published, which provides for emergency measures to mitigate the effects of the crisis resulting from natural disasters in the tourism and culture sectors of Rio Grande do Sul.

The effects of the new legislation are valid from April 27, 2024 until 12 months after the end of the state of calamity decreed in the state. During this period, companies will have the obligation to ensure the rescheduling of services, reservations, and events that have been postponed; make credit available for use or rebates when purchasing other services; or refund the amounts, if requested by the consumer. More information can be found here.

• Drainage pumps

The Federal Government is organizing the logistics, and Rio Grande do Sul has already received drainage pumps to speed up the flow of water in the affected cities.

• Public purchases, agreements, and contracts

The Federal Government, through Provisional Measure No. 1,221, of May 17, 2024, has ensured greater agility to public purchases to face the calamity in Rio Grande do Sul. Find out more here.

Furthermore, there was an extension of the validity and deadlines of agreements and contracts for the transfer of federal resources to the state and municipalities, adding up to BRL 2.6 billion.

• Additional funds for education

By May 29, the Federal Government had already transferred BRL 22 million to fund school meals, cleaning, and repair of schools.

• Measures for municipalities

On May 29, the Federal Government took stock of one month of measures in support of Rio Grande do Sul. Measures for the municipalities included the following:

- Parliamentary amendments:

BRL 1.3 billion.

BRL 743 million paid by May 27.

- Extra installment from the Municipal Participation Fund [Fundo de Participação dos Municípios/FMP):

BRL 190 million already paid - 47 municipalities facing calamity.

 - Civil Defense measures - BRL 310 million approved for 207 municipalities:

BRL 176 million paid by May 27.

 - Support to sheltering people:

BRL 22 million already paid - 120 thousand people in 88 municipalities.

- Credit analysis with Union endorsement for 14 municipalities:

17 projects analyzed - BRL 1.8 billion.

 - National Nursing Minimum Wage [Piso Nacional da Enfermagem] - advance payment of BRL 19 million: Paid out.

The Institutional Relations Secretariat [Secretaria de Relações Institucionais/SRI] also organized a report, presented in the second week of May 2024, describing the main support measures for municipalities carried out so far. The document can be visualized here.

SRI also created a panel that records how much the Federal Government has paid out in parliamentary amendments. The data can be accessed here.

• New housing

On June 6, an ordinance was signed that allows the purchase of properties ready to serve those left homeless by the floods. The properties are intended for families in bands 1 and 2 of the Minha Casa, Minha Vida [My Home, My Life/MCMV] program with a monthly income of up to BRL 4,400.00.

Exceptionally for Rio Grande do Sul, the ordinance established a new procedure in the Federal Government's housing program. This is the first time that MCMV has acquired ready-made properties, whether new or used. The measure sought to speed up assistance to displaced families.

Furthermore, according to information from the Secretariat for Support for the Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul, the Federal Government will also finance the down payment for the purchase of new properties in band 3 of the MCMV for families affected by the floods. This support can reach BRL 40 thousand. City halls and the state can also contribute to increasing this value.

• Emergency financial support program for workers

The Federal Government, through the Emergency Financial Support Program, will send a minimum wage (BRL 1,412.00) to workers, in July and August 2024, to maintain jobs in Rio Grande do Sul.

The measure will benefit employees of companies located in affected areas. In return, companies have to maintain the person hired for at least four months (two of which coincide with the period of the benefit, plus the following two months), without reducing wages. Companies have until July 12 to join the Program. The operation is coordinated by the Ministry of Labor and Employment [Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego/MTE].

A total of 17,485 companies had already joined the Program as of June 26.

Payment will be made by CAIXA. Those entitled to the benefit do not need to open new bank accounts or go to a bank branch. CAIXA will identify whether the person already has a current or savings account at the bank and automatically provide the credit. For those who do not have an account, CAIXA will automatically open a CAIXA Tem Savings Account, which can be used via the CAIXA Tem app. Find out more here.

• Caravan of rights for the reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul

The Federal Government established the Caravan of Rights for the Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul [Caravana de Direitos na Reconstrução do Rio Grande do Sul] program. The initiative aims to plan, coordinate, and integrate measures that promote access to rights in favor of the population affected by the floods in the state.

Between July 1 and October 31, the Caravan will visit 111 municipalities (those hit with greater gravity) for in-person assistance. The Federal Public Defender's Office [Defensoria Pública da União/DPU] will also provide online services to those assisted in the 474 municipalities affected by the floods.

Each mission will have a team made up of federal public defenders and lawyers, as well as staff from the areas of social assistance, psychology, law, administration, among others. Staff from Caixa Econômica Federal and the Ministry of Social Development and Assistance, Family, and the Fight Against Hunger will also participate.

• Delivery of 30 ambulances and a thousand computers

On June 14, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health, delivered 30 ambulances from the Mobile Emergency Care Service [SAMU 192] to 25 municipalities: Agudo, Alvorada, Bento Gonçalves, Cachoeira do Sul, Camaquã, Candelária, Canoas, Encantado, Encruzilhada do Sul, Esteio, Faxinal do Soturno, Gramado, Itaqui, Jaguarão, Lajeado, Novo Hamburgo, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande, Santa Maria, Santa Rosa, São José do Norte, São Lourenço do Sul , Sinimbu, Taquara, and Triunfo.

Each city will receive an ambulance, with the exception of Canoas, which will receive two, and Porto Alegre, where five vehicles have already been delivered.

Additionally, 1,000 computers were distributed to 365 health units and hospitals across 142 municipalities.

• Cultural recovery

The Federal Government announced a series of measures in favor of the cultural community of Rio Grande do Sul. Some of the measures that have already been carried out are as follows:

▪ BRL 75 million as an Emergency Credit Line from the Audiovisual Sector Fund [Fundo Setorial Audiovisual/FSA] for Rio Grande do Sul companies in the audiovisual sector and suspension of FSA financing charges for up to 12 (twelve) months, counting from the start of the calamity.

▪ BRL 6.8 million in payments from Ministry of Culture [Ministério da Cultura/MinC] actions, prioritizing those covered in Rio Grande do Sul in the following tenders: Sérgio Mamberti, Culture Points, Reading Points, Free Schools, the Arts Network Program, and the Immaterial Heritage National Program.

▪ Establishment of a Governance Committee under the coordination of the Ministry of Culture, involving the Brazilian Institute of Museums [Instituto Brasileiro de Museus/Ibram] Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage [Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional/Iphan], National Archives [Arquivo Nacional/MGI], Rio Grande do Sul State Government, and UNESCO. The Committee is responsible for proposing public policies to recover damage to historical and archaeological heritage, collections, and archives caused by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul; and coordinating thematic WGs that involve representations from dozens of universities, councils, committees, public entities, among others. In this scope, UNESCO activated the emergency fund and will contribute, in the first phase, by providing specialists in calamity and post-war situations, similar to what it has done  for the reconstruction of the National Museum [Museu Nacional] in Rio de Janeiro.

Further actions involve payment of grants to cultural agents [Bolsa Retomada Cultural RS]; financial support for Culture Points, Memory Points, Community Libraries, Reading Points, Free Schools, and Quilombola Communities [Retomada - Diversidade Cultural RS]; cultural grants for creating shows, participating in events, carrying out exchanges [Retomada Cultural - Ações Artísticas Continuada​s]; and financing restoration actions and acquisition of collections [Retomada Cultural - Rouanet RS].

Find out more here.

• Emergency tax regularization program

The Federal Government launched, on June 25, the Emergency Fiscal Regularization Program to Support Rio Grande do Sul – SOS-RS Transaction [Programa Emergencial de Regularização Fiscal de Apoio ao Rio Grande do Sul – Transação SOS-RS].

Established by Ordinance PGFN/MF No. 1032, of June 21, 2024, this program offers special conditions for the regularization of tax debts with the Union such as, for example, the reduction of up to 100% of the value of interest, fines and legal costs.

Individuals or legal entities, whose tax domicile is in the state, as registered in the CPF or CNPJ, may join the SOS-RS Transaction.

The program is open for membership from June 24, 2024 until 7pm on July 31, 2024, exclusively through the Regularize platform here.

Hiring urban cleaning services / purchasing cleaning and personal care kits

The Federal Government will carry out emergency contracting of labor rental services, cargo vehicles, and construction equipment for cleaning and unblocking urban areas. The measure aims to serve municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul that are in a situation of public calamity or emergency due to the heavy rains in the region.

With an estimated total value of BRL 61 million, the measure covers 418 municipalities, 78 of which are in a state of public calamity and 340 are in emergency state.

In addition to hiring for urban cleaning, another front of Government measures is the acquisition of residential cleaning and personal care kits.

The total estimated value for purchasing the kits is BRL 42 million, covering approximately 145 thousand products of each type of kit. The measure seeks to ensure that affected families can resume their daily activities with dignity and safety.

• BRL 1.3 billion in reimbursement credits

On July 10, the Federal Government announced the payment of BRL 1.3 billion in reimbursement credits to the population of Rio Grande do Sul.

The BRL 1,345,989,237.29 sum covers companies of all sizes, most of them micro and small companies.

The Federal Revenue Service [Receita Federal] had also carried out early analysis and release of Individual Income Tax refunds for 2024, ensuring that 1,216,996 taxpayers from Rio Grande do Sul received BRL 1.4 billion in the batches of May 31 and June 28, 2024.