Federal government approves BRL 11.7 million for civil defense efforts in the Amazon

The current dry season in the Amazon will be the most severe in 20 years. The region is facing extreme weather conditions, increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Given this scenario, the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development (Ministério da Integração e Desenvolvimento Regional /MIDR), through the National Civil Defense, has approved the transfer of BRL 11.7 million to the region so far. The funds will benefit civil defense efforts in the states of Amazonas and Roraima. The MIDR also recognized emergency status in 53 municipalities in Acre, Amazonas, Roraima and Rondônia, and approved eight work plans.

We are carrying out actions such as river dredging, as well as emergency measures also adopted by the Ministry of Mines and Energy in isolated communities, to fight fires."
Waldez Góes, Minister of Integration and Regional Development

Minister Waldez Góes spoke about the federal government's actions to deal with the disasters. “Since the first moment, the Lula government mobilized. As soon as we set up a situation room to discuss and solve the Pantanal problem, Minister Marina Silva (Environment and Climate Change), under the command of Minister Rui Costa, is analyzing all the issues relating to the Amazon. A meeting is planned for next week with the governors of the states experiencing the problem,” said the minister, highlighting the MIDR's efforts. “We have recognized several emergency statuses and released funds for humanitarian aid in some municipalities,” he added.

Waldez Góes also lamented the current situation in the Amazon. “We have an incredibly challenging year because of climate change. In 2023, we will experience a very severe drought in the Amazon. I am from the Amazon and I've never seen anything like it in my life. In the Pantanal, for example, the drought and fires, which used to happen in August, began at the end of May, two months earlier. The drought is going to last longer,” explained the minister.

MEASURES - So far, BRL 405 million have been released from the Amazon Fund to support firefighting operations at the states of the Legal Amazon (Amazonas, Acre, Rondônia, Roraima, Pará, Maranhão, Amapá, Tocantins and Mato Grosso). In addition, BRL 785 million from the Union with Municipalities program have been earmarked for efforts to combat deforestation and fires in 70 priority municipalities.

In July of this year, President Lula signed into law a bill that regulates integrated fire management in the country. The bill bans the use of fire to clear native vegetation, except for controlled burning. It also restricts the use of burnings in agricultural activities to specific situations, holding landowners responsible in the event of fires. The new legislation also encourages the creation, training and strengthening of volunteer and private fire departments, and strengthens the Fire Brigade and federal, state and municipal fire departments.

In June, on World Environment Day, Lula also signed a pact with the governors of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Amazonas, Maranhão, Tocantins, Acre, Amapá, Roraima and Rondônia. It aims to facilitate coordinated action for fire prevention, control and management, and includes the suspension of burning permits until the end of the dry season and during times when heat waves are forecast.

“We are carrying out measures such as river dredging, as well as emergency measures adopted by the Ministry of Mines and Energy in isolated communities to combat fires,” concluded Minister Waldez Góes.

HOW TO APPLY - Cities with federal recognition of a state of emergency or a state of public calamity can apply to the MIDR for funds for civil defense activities. The request must be made through the Integrated Disaster Information System (S2iD). Based on the information sent in the work plans, the National Civil Defense technical team evaluates the goals and amounts requested. Once approved, an order is published in the Official Gazette (DOU) with the amount to be released.

TRAINING - The National Civil Defense offers a series of distance learning courses to enable and qualify municipal and state agents to use S2iD. The training focuses on civil protection and defense agents in the three spheres of government. Check out the full list of courses HERE.