Chamber of Deputies Approves Key Bills to Bolster Disaster Management in Brazil
In a significant legislative push, Brazil's Chamber of Deputies has approved several important bills focused on improving civil protection and disaster management across the country.
Charlie Kennedy
- 2023-12-28
- Updated 08:39 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - During the plenary session in 2023, the Chamber of Deputies has notably advanced the legislative framework dealing with natural disasters and civil defense. Among the multitude of approved measures, highlights include the Bill 636/23, which obliges municipalities to draft an annual Civil Protection and Defense Contingency Plan. This is aimed at thwarting irregular constructions in high-risk areas and guaranteeing secure housing options. The bill amends the existing federal fund transfer regulations outlined in Law 12.340/10, enabling better disaster prevention and mitigation. With its passage in the Chamber, the bill is set for further deliberation in the Federal Senate.
Municipal Action and Accountability
Congressman Josenildo (PDT-AP), the reporter of Bill 636/23, stressed that the bill necessitates the incorporation of essential infrastructure investments into municipal planning. These plans must encompass areas of flood control and disaster prevention strategies. Municipalities will be required to include detailed reports in their annual accounts, documenting measures such as disaster alert systems' effectiveness, status of emergency shelters, technical team and volunteer training, monitoring of at-risk constructions, and execution of safety housing options.
Additional Legislative Measures
Joining Bill 636/23 is Bill 2257/23, which guarantees the right of individuals to return to their homes or workplaces after evacuations due to disasters. Authored by Congressman Alfredo Gaspar (União-AL) and other colleagues, and revised by Congressman Paulinho Freire (União-RN), it specifies that companies accountable for disasters must cover the cost of technical and legal aid for the displaced or those without shelter. Displaced individuals, defined as those evacuated preventatively or due to severe damages brought on by disasters, also receive entitlement to health care paid for by the responsible entities, contingent upon diagnosis of health problems linked to the displacement.
Expansion of Disaster Relief Funding
In a related development, the Brazilian legal apparatus for disaster management has been further reinforced with the implementation of Law 14.691/23. Based on Bill 920/23 proposed by Congressman Gilson Daniel (Podemos-ES), this law channels environmental fine revenues into the National Fund for Public Calamities, Protection, and Civil Defense (Funcap). It also permits contributions from diverse national and international, public and private sources. These funds will be allocated to state and municipal initiatives dedicated to preventing disasters in vulnerable regions and rehabilitating ones that have been impacted, drawing on experiences from areas like Mariana (MG).
These legislative efforts represent a comprehensive move towards elevating Brazil's preparedness and responsiveness to natural calamities. The emphasis on planning, infrastructure investment, and community engagement points to a proactive approach in mitigating the potential impacts of disasters. The bills' progress through the Chamber of Deputies sets a precedent for stronger governance in the face of environmental challenges, with the next steps lying in the approval and implementation by the Federal Senate.
