Minister Paulo Pimenta, the governor of RS, Eduardo Leite, and Minister Wellington Dias.| Photo: Reproduction/TV Brasil Gov.

Government ministers visited this Thursday (23) some areas affected by the drought in Rio Grande do Sul. The delegation was in Hulha Negra, in the South Region, and officialized actions to face the drought in the state.

Participating in the event were the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite (PSDB), the ministers of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture, Paulo Teixeira; of Social Development, Wellington Dias; the Presidency’s Social Communication Secretariat, Paulo Pimenta; and the future president of the National Supply Company (Conab), Edegar Pretto.

This Wednesday, the federal government had already announced R$ 430 million for actions to mitigate the effects of the drought in Rio Grande do Sul. Of the total amount announced, R$ 100 million will be invested by the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development. According to the ministry, the funds will be used to hire water trucks to distribute water and also to purchase and donate food and fuel food baskets, among other actions. Around 300 municipalities will benefit.

Another R$ 300 million will come from the MDA for two lines of credit aimed at small farmers. “President Lula told us to come to Rio Grande do Sul, talk to the governor and his team, talk to the mayors, so that a joint work can be done to face the issue of drought”, said Paulo Teixeira.

“The MDS will transfer R$ 24 million to low-income families in the region, with a payment of up to R$ 2,400 to families of small farmers registered in the Rural Development program. The payment will be made in two installments”, informed the MIDR.