Federal Government releases more than R $ 10 million to combat burning in the Pantanal

National Civil Defense has accompanied and supported the states in fighting the flames

Forest fire, Representative Image by Ylvers from Pixabay

Sep 18, Environment and Climate: Dampers, trimmers, hoses, blowers and tanks for water storage may. Fire-fighting equipment may be purchased by the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso Sul with funds of R $ 13.9 million from the Federal Government. The figure was announced during the week by the Ministry of Regional Development.

The amount can also be used to rent vehicles, machinery and aircraft, in addition to purchasing fuel. Most of the money will go towards fighting the flames in the Pantanal. It is R $ 10.1 million for Mato Grosso, which will develop 32 projects in a period of 90 days.

The remainder, R $ 3.8 million, will be allocated to the region of Mato Grosso do Sul to fund 37 shares. "We are investing resources through Civil Defense so that these efforts can be enhanced," said the Minister of Regional Development, Rogério Marinho.

With the emergency situation recognized due to forest fires, the transfer of resources is more agile. “The Federal Government could only contribute resources of an emergency nature here [Mato Grosso] when the calamity was declared. We recognized [the state's calamity] in record time. Together with the Civil Defense of Mato Grosso, we prepared a work plan that has already been accepted and we are already releasing the resource. There was, on the part of the Government, a lot of work to speed up this service ”, he said.

The emergency situation was decreed by a summary procedure when the public and notorious occurrence is considered of great intensity. In these cases, in order to expedite service to the population, the National Civil Defense anticipates the procedures and publishes the decision even before the requests from the municipality or state are made official.

Marinho stressed that the Federal Government has been talking to governors to discuss ways to prevent forest fire situations like the one faced in this period. “The Federal Government is open, supportive and ready to work together to find solutions that can, in a lasting way, prevent future problems and, at the same time, preserve this heritage of humanity that is the Pantanal”, he highlighted.

The municipalities of Mato Grosso most affected by the fires are Poconé, Barão de Melgaço and Cáceres - all in the Pantanal region. In addition to the R $ 10 million for the state, the Federal Government also authorized the loan and the transfer of R $ 407 thousand to Barão de Melgaço for actions to combat the fire. In August, for the same reason, the Government transferred R $ 870.8 thousand to Poconé.

Mato Grosso do Sul

The announced transfer adds up to another R $ 562.8 thousand already transferred by the Federal Government to help fight the flames. On Monday (14), the Federal Government had recognized the emergency situation in Mato Grosso do Sul.

Operation Pantanal

The Armed Forces have been active, since July 25, in fighting fires in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul. On August 5, the actions were extended to the Pantanal of Mato Grosso. The Ministry of Defense responds to the request received by the two states.

The Operation Coordination Center is installed at the Sesc Pantanal aerodrome, in Poconé (MT), a strategic point for the use of means. Navy, Army and Air Force vessels and helicopters participate in the operation, in addition to Marines with a course in a forest fire.

Civil defence

The Ministry of Regional Development, through the National Secretariat for Civil Defense and Protection (Sedec), announced this week the transfer of R $ 1.88 million to six municipalities in the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso and Rio Grande do Sul - Engineer Caldas (MG), Cardeal da Silva (BA), Barão de Melgaço (MT), Encantado (RS), Arroio do Meio (RS) and Tavares (RS).

- Encantado (RS): transfer of R $ 797.6 thousand for the recovery of the infrastructure of a school, in addition to the collection, transport and disposal of material damaged by floods.

- Arroio do Meio (RS): also due to flooding, a transfer of R $ 55.2 thousand was announced for the recovery of a public teaching unit.

- Tavares (RS): due to the drought, R $ 45.5 thousand will be transferred to purchase basic food baskets.

- Engineer from Caldas (MG): will have access to R $ 324,500 for the reconstruction of a reinforced concrete bridge damaged by heavy rains.

- Cardinal da Silva (BA): affected by heavy rains it will receive R $ 254.1 thousand to recover an eroded section of a side road.

- Barão de Melgaço (MT): affected by forest fires, will receive R $ 407.1 thousand to pay for fuel and purchase equipment to fight the flames.

The transfer of R $ 599 thousand to the municipality of Sericita (MG), which was hit by heavy rains, was also announced for the construction of 73 meters of containment on the access road to the Nossa Senhora do Rosário Chapel. In the state of Santa Catarina, R $ 105.4 thousand will be earmarked for the reconstruction of the roof and the fencing of a public building damaged by gales.