Drought hits the state since December; state recognition of the emergency situation helps cities to receive humanitarian aid
O Rio Grande do Sul has 375 municipalities in an emergency situation due to drought. The data are from the Civil Defense of the State and show an increase compared to the figures released last week, when 356 cities had declared a state of emergency. Of this number, 313 municipalities had the emergency situation approved by the state government and 287 were recognized by the Union. In the last harvest, in 2021/2022, there were 426 decrees, while 417 were recognized by the federal government. State recognition of the emergency situation helps cities receive humanitarian aid. With the backing of the Union, city halls can obtain resources to face the drought, which has affected the state since December. In addition, it enables rural producers to seek the Agricultural Activity Guarantee Program (Proagro). According to the Civil Defense, the municipality declares an emergency situation and forwards it to the body, which will approve the decree. It is then forwarded to the federal government.
