Rio de Janeiro residents living in poverty and some Congress members have accused the local government of discrimination for failing to act in the face of natural hazards that put their lives at risk.
Deputy at Rio de Janeiro State Assembly Dani Montero has called this ‘environmental racism,’ adding many material and human losses during the rainy season in the state could’ve been avoided.
In February this year, heavy rains hit the north of the city of Rio de Janeiro, where Jacazerinho is located. During the floods, many people lost what little they had and buildings were damaged. In the neighbouring Alto da Boa Vista, a two-year-old girl died in a landslide caused by the rains.
In February 2022, more than 200 people were killed by mudslides and floods in the colonial-era city of Petropolis near Rio de Janeiro.