Alckmin summons five ministers to discuss tragedy in RS

After receiving criticism about the president’s trip Lula (PT) to India amid the tragedy in Rio Grande do Sulthe Federal Government hastily called a meeting in Brasilia this Friday (08). The acting president, Geraldo Alckmin (PSB), announced that it will go to Rio Grande do Sul this Sunday (10) to monitor the situation in the state after the passage of the extratropical cyclone that killed 41 people in the region.

Alckmin also informed that there will be a transfer to the city halls of the cities affected by the cyclone. The total amount has not been announced, but the amount will be R$800 per person affected for municipalities to help care for those affected by the phenomenon. The funding will be from Ministry of Social Developmentl.

According to official figures, so far there are 41 dead and others 46 missing. Alckmin is holding the Presidency of the Republic due to President Lula’s trip to India to participate in the G20 summit, which for the first time will be chaired by Brazil.

The following authorities participated in the meeting with Alckmin:

• José MúcioMinistry of Defense
• Nisia TrindadeMinister of Health
• Waldez GóesMinister of Integration and Regional Development
• Wellington DiasMinister of Social Development
• Paulo PimentaMinister of the Presidency’s Communication Secretariat
• Hildo RochaExecutive Secretary of the Ministry of Cities
• Julia RodriguesSpecial Deputy Secretary for Coordination and Monitoring of the Civil House
• Aguiar FreireChief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Ministry of Defense
• Pedro LopesChief of Staff of the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic

Some economic measures were announced by the government to help families affected by the tragedy. A Caixa Econômica Federal released until R$6,220 of the FGTS for the victims. The INSS brought forward some payments of social security and assistance benefits to the families of those affected. Experts criticized the measures, saying that the amount transferred by Federal government is insufficient to help with reconstruction.

The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite (PSDB), reported at the beginning of the week that this is the worst natural tragedy in the state. Lula even spoke to the governor for a few minutes on the phone this Wednesday (06).