The federal government has been acting on several fronts since last Friday (7) when a tornado hit the city of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, in the state of Paraná, with wind speeds of up to 250 km/h, leaving a trail of destruction, six dead, at least 750 injured, houses damaged by the force of the winds, others uncovered and poles knocked down, leaving the city in the dark. The government released R$25 million for emergency reconstruction works in the city.
Now, the government is mobilized to accelerate the reconstruction of structures, public equipment and housing and recover the well-being of the people of Paraná. The municipality of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, with around 14 thousand inhabitants, was one of the hardest hit and had 90% of the urban area impacted by the climate phenomenon, with total or partial destruction of hundreds of houses and commercial buildings, schools and health units.
Following a determination by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the federal government recognized the situation of public calamity in a summary manner, through an ordinance published on November 8. The measure enables emergency support from various bodies and the release of resources to serve the population.
THEIn addition to recognizing the situation of public calamity, the Ministry of Regional Integration and National Civil Defense are working to map the affected area, with the mobilization of three teams with seven professionals for relief and humanitarian assistance and restoration and reconstruction actions. Other measures include monitoring climate prognosis and collecting data.
Subsequently, two work plans relating to the reconstruction of five public buildings were approved. Altogether, there are R$ 25 million, via the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development (MIDR) and National Civil Defense.
Repairs
The amount is intended for the repair of public infrastructure, reconstruction of the bus terminal, the storage shed for municipal equipment (machinery) and the city’s cultural center. The first transfer was intended for the reconstruction of a municipal school and gymnasium – public facilities destroyed.
This Wednesday, (12), the federal government’s National Secretariat for Civil Protection and Defense (Sedec) requested priority in the commitment of the resource and guaranteed the amount on behalf of the city hall of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu. After the commitment, the municipality has 180 days to prepare projects and bids for contracting services.
Electrical energy
The Ministry of Mines and Energy is working to recover electricity distribution services and coordinates with the electricity sector to restore energy supply.
In 99% of the city’s homes, commerce and industry, power has already been restored. The diagnosis indicates that 90 thousand consumer units were left without electricity in 18 municipalities between Friday night (7) and Saturday morning (8), with Bonito do Iguaçua being the most affected area.
The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) has been working to ensure that residents are not left without access to the internet and communications services. Operators such as Vivo and Claro signaled the reestablishment and normalization of services. Tim enabled the function roaming to the population of 24 municipalities, including Rio Bonito do Iguaçu.
Food baskets
The National Supply Company (Conab) and the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS) provided 1,500 25kg food baskets to the population of the municipalities affected by the tornado. Conab may increase the quantity depending on demand. Another 750 baskets were delivered to a solidarity kitchen that is working at two points in the distribution of lunch boxes: in Rio Bonito do Iguaçu and Laranjeiras do Sul. Individual donations are also being organized in locations not yet recognized as a calamity, but impacted by the storm.
The Ministry of Health sent the National Force of the Unified Health System to the region and began rebuilding the local health network, mapping affected units and communities in vulnerable situations and offering psychological support to the population.
Emergency
Health Surveillance of Risks Associated with Disasters supports the identification of damages and emergency management. Medication kits and supplies were sent with the capacity to serve up to three thousand people for a month.
The Ministry of Social Development, Family and Fight Against Hunger has a technical team working in the municipality. The work involves the registration of affected families, the structuring of temporary shelters and reception spaces, technical support for the municipal social assistance network, the distribution of food and food security actions and the unification of the payment calendar for Bolsa Família and the Continuous Payment Benefit (BPC), in addition to the transfer of federal resources to accommodate homeless and homeless people.
Enem may have new dates
The Ministry of Education will set a new date for the National High School Exam (Enem) for students who missed the exams as a result of the tornado. The National Education Development Fund (FNDE) analyzes requests made by the municipality for two daycare centers, 14 school buses and textbooks and literature. Technicians are also studying the order for four vehicles for school transport.
The Attorney General’s Office of the National Treasury (PGFN) published an ordinance that provides for the automatic suspension and extension for four months of the collection of the Union’s active debt, while the Official Gazette of the Union (DOU) this Thursday (13) published an ordinance from the Federal Revenue Service extending the deadline for taxpayers of Rio Bonito de Iguaçu to pay federal taxes.
At the same time, Caixa Econômica Federal is working to release the FGTS Calamidade withdrawal. The bank sent a unit from Box Truck to guarantee service at the Igreja Matriz de Rio Bonito do Iguaçu and distribute kits that facilitate biometric registration. Other banking services include the accumulated collection of R$62.56 thousand, through the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Housing and Citizenship, and the donation of 100 computers through a partnership with the Ministry of Communications.
Unemployment insurance
The Ministry of Labor and Employment is releasing additional installments of unemployment insurance for the unemployed. The extra installments will guarantee temporary income while the situation normalizes.
The value of the installments in 2025 is at least one minimum wage and, at most, R$2,424. The collection of the Length of Service Guarantee Fund (FGTS) for employers in affected municipalities will also be suspended, which can be paid in six installments.
Social Security and INSS work to advance assistance benefits. The Laranjeiras do Sul Social Security agency, in Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, will be used to provide assistance and prioritize the analysis of pending processes, as well as speed up advance payments to beneficiaries.
Survey
The National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra) carried out a survey of the effects of the climate event on agrarian reform settlements and camps in the region (Settlements Ireno Alves dos Santos and Camps Herdeiros da Terra, Herdeiros da Terra de Primeiro de Maio and Antônio Conrado, in Rio Bonito do Iguaçu; Nova Geração Settlement, in Guarapuava; and Camp Porto Pinheiro, in Porto Barreiro). There are homes and other buildings partially or completely destroyed, damage to crops, death of animals, damage to community structures (churches, community centers and schools).
Extratropical cyclone caused damage to Paraná: 60 thousand homes were left without power. Photo – Video playback
The Federal Highway Police (PRF) is running a campaign to collect donations, with around 900 agents from 33 PRF units in Paraná, in addition to employees who work in ten administrative headquarters.
The work involves the collection and distribution of items in conjunction with Correios logistics. In parallel, the teams provide general guidance and escorts for federal authorities and also for supplies and medicines that are sent to the region.
