By Wednesday (18), the government will release an extraordinary credit of R$514 million to combat forest fires that are spreading across the country. The announcement was made a short while ago by the Chief of Staff, Rui Costa, and the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, in a meeting between representatives of the Three Powers to discuss actions to combat the fires.
The resources, Costa said, will be distributed among several ministries and will be used to acquire equipment and implement short-term measures. The provisional measure with the extraordinary credit should be issued in the next few hours.
According to the Minister of the Civil House, the money will be invested in partnership with the states and municipalities. Next Thursday (19), the federal government intends to meet with the 27 governors to hear their requests for help in drawing up a diagnosis, added Rui Costa.
The amount had already been reported to the Supreme Court. On Sunday (15), Minister Flávio Dino, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) authorized a special budget to tackle climate change. The government will be able to open an extraordinary credit, which by definition is outside the fiscal targets, without running the risk of the money being re-included in them, if the provisional measure is rejected or not voted on in time.
Held late Tuesday afternoon (17), at the Planalto Palace, the meeting brought together representatives of the Three Powers. In addition to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the following were present: the presidents of the STF, Luís Roberto Barroso; of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco; and of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira. The meeting also brought together government ministers, the Attorney General of the Republic, Paulo Gonet, and representatives of the Federal Police and the Federal Court of Auditors (TCU).
National Climate Security Council
Minister Marina Silva reported that the government is evaluating proposals to create a National Climate Security Council and a Plan to Prevent Extreme Climate Effects. “We were talking a little while ago, and you [presidente Lula] had an idea that, in the same way that you created the National Food Security Council, you would like us to study the possibility, as a matter of urgency, holding this meeting with the Powers, the National Climate Security Council”, he declared.
For Marina, the council will play an important role in bringing together different sectors of society. “I think this is a great idea that you had, because we have a pact with the Powers, we will be able to bring together the Superior Court of Justice, the Chamber of Deputies, Congress, society, the business sector, and be able to present recommendations so that more than mitigating, more than adapting and preparing, we can transform our country”, she added. The prevention plan, the minister said, is under analysis by the Civil House.
