http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/latin_america/10410822.stm
Lula promises massive north-east Brazil flood aid
Page last updated at 02:07 GMT, Friday, 25 June 2010 03:07 UK
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has promised a massive relief effort for north-eastern regions devastated by floods. (((Brazil actually has some money lately, but one has to wonder how many times politicians can go through with this "massive relief" ritual. As disasters multiply, there's just no money. For instance: can Americans actually pay Florida not to have a summer vacation season this year? There's gotta be a point at which climate havoc just breaks the bank. The world's becoming uninsurable.)))
After a visit to the worst-hit areas, President Lula approved more than $300m (£200m) in emergency aid.
Entire towns and villages were swept away as rivers burst their banks after heavy rains in Alagoas and Pernambuco states.
More than 150,000 people have been left homeless, and 46 are confirmed dead.
"What we saw on the streets was very different to what you see on television or in the newspapers," Lula said after visiting flood-ravaged towns by helicopter.
"We have the political, human and moral obligation to help rebuild what has been destroyed" President Lula da Silva (((Yeah, you have the "obligation," but what if you just plain lack the capacity? Also: if a town is genuinely annihilated, why go through the political gesture of rebuilding a settlement on that spot?)))
Several rivers reached record levels, sweeping away bridges, roads, hospitals and schools.
Many towns and villages are still partially flooded or buried in rubble and mud.
Soldiers have been using boats, planes and helicopters to get aid to the worst-affected areas. Damaged railway tracks and roads have hampered the aid effort.
President Lula also urged local authorities not to let people rebuild on areas subject to recurring floods.
"It was irresponsible in the past to let people live on the banks of the river and it would be much more irresponsible to let them go back". (((Well, this is the favela problem in a nutshell. You get this kind of feral urban development in lowlying floodprone areas because there is nobody there. Because they're empty. And they ought to stay empty. But people go. Because they have nowhere else. So what you really need here is an enforceable urban zoning policy, but come on, this is Brazil. The obvious trend is toward MORE favelas EVERYWHERE, not fewer favelas in Brazil.)))
People in one of the worst-hit towns, Branquinha, have already said they are considering rebuilding on higher ground to prevent any repeat of the disaster.
Many residents say they have lost their homes and livelihoods
(((It's sure been a good day for "lost livelihood" here at BEYOND THE BEYOND))):
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/taxes/jobless-aid-bill-failure/19530453/
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0623/Has-BP-oil-spill-canceled-summer-on-the-Gulf-Coast
(((And, for clean nuclear power fans, the ultimate Gothic High Tech involuntary park, 24 years later. If Chernobyl had taken place in Brazil, it would be a giant favela now.)))
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/chernobyl–24-years-on-1954969.html
(((Misery loves company, Brasil:)))
http://www.underpaidgenius.com/post/734280923
(((And even more mayhem. Of course. Time to get the high-heels off the Belgrade girls before they pierce the sandbags on the Danube:)))
