Even though work to respond to the floods in Rio Grande do Sul is still ongoing, the Brazilian government is, however, already concerned about the occurrence of a new extreme weather event in the country. According to the national secretary of Climate Change, Ana Toni, a “very terrible” drought is expected to occur soon in the Amazon.
“The government is already trying to get ahead, understanding which municipalities are likely to be affected, what type of prevention [will be necessary]. This is being led by the Ministry of Regional Integration, where the [National] Civil Defense Secretariat is located, currently thinking about prevention actions”, said Ana, at a seminar at the Brazilian Center for International Relations (Cebri) on decarbonization of the economy, in Rio. of January.
Last week, the Civil Defense of Amazonas issued a warning that the drought this year in the state should be as severe or more severe than that recorded in 2023. The guidance is for people to stock up on water, food and medicine so that they can face the most critical period of the drought.
The drought in the Amazon occurs in the second half of the year, with the peak of the low water in the region's main rivers being concentrated between the months of October and November. In 2023, the Amazon had already faced one of the worst droughts in its history, with a major reduction in river levels, which hampered transport for riverside communities and, consequently, their access to water, food and medicine.
Amazon: Mitigation, adaptation and reconstruction challenges in Brazil
Studies indicated that the main cause for the phenomenon was climate change, resulting from human action. According to the secretary, the extreme events caused by these climate changes show that it is not enough to just mitigate and adapt, but it is also necessary to have resources for reconstruction.
“There is the cost of mitigation. It costs the adaptation of Brazilian cities, infrastructure, energy and agriculture. But we are already experiencing the cost of losses and damages”, highlighted Ana Toni. “In this disaster, which is happening now in Rio Grande do Sul, it will probably need something between R$ 50 billion and R$ 100 billion.”
The need for financing for reconstruction is also a concern of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES). “We need to create, in collaboration with multilateral banks, solidarity and funds for reconstruction. Imagine, for example, if this flood [of RS] had fallen on Uruguay? How would they get out of this alone?” said the bank's president, Aloizio Mercadante.
He highlighted that public banks need funds to finance reconstruction after extreme events and suggested seminars on international experiences.
“On Monday, we will be operating a R$ 5 billion line in Rio Grande do Sul, with all partner banks. We entered with the guarantee fund of R$ 500 million, but we need lower interest rates for the reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul”, he said.
Source: agrolink
