After the devastating floods that hit 46 neighborhoods in Porto Alegre, Mayor Sebastião Melo (MDB) detailed the first plans for the city's reconstruction. In an interview with CNN Melo cited civil construction, jobs and business as fundamental pillars for the recovery.
According to the mayor, around 160,000 people were affected by the floods in the city, which has a population of 1.4 million inhabitants. He highlighted that, although not the entire city was directly affected by the rains, economic recovery is essential for the full functioning of the metropolis.
City has 300 street cleaners working on cleaning
The city hall has already started cleaning the city, with 300 street cleaners working exclusively on this operation. Melo asked the population for patience, stating that there are not enough machines and teams to reach all streets simultaneously.
As for shelters set up in schools, clubs and churches, the mayor said that the deactivation will be gradual and supportive, giving priority to the school network so that classes can resume.
He also mentioned the possibility of creating temporary solidarity cities in public spaces, in addition to using “solidarity stay”, a program that offers financial assistance so that homeless people can temporarily stay with neighbors or friends.
Appeal for national aid and resources for businesses
The mayor called for a national program to offer resources to affected companies, especially in the Sarandi neighborhood, where tens of thousands of businesses were impacted. According to Melo, if there is no help for these companies to recover, the social problem will worsen, with an increase in unemployment, poverty and violence.
“I believe that this pillar of economic recovery is fundamental to providing a more dignified life, because these are jobs that were lost and will not return if these companies are unable to get back on their feet,” stated the mayor. “And they don’t stand up with their own resources.”
Melo also asked for donations of basic food baskets, non-perishable food and cleaning kits to help homeless families. He thanked volunteers and organized civil society for their support, highlighting that Rio Grande do Sul needs help from all of Brazil at this time.
Source: CNN Brasil
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