“It’s time to move forward: people affected in the fight for rights”

 

For decades, people affected in Brazil have been demonstrating against agro-hydro-mining, which destroys nature, communities, stories and lives. Now, eight years after the collapse of the Fundão dam in Mariana, Minas Gerais, people affected all over Brazil are organizing to take part in the Journey of Struggles called “It’s Time to Move Forward: people affected in the struggle for rights”, from November 4 to 7 in Brasilia (DF). The aim of the day is to present the demands to representatives of the federal government. Among the many demands are: the approval of the National Policy on the Rights of People Affected by Dams (Política Nacional de Direitos dos Atingidos por Barragens – PNAB) and the search for fair and full reparation of the people affected by the Doce River basin and the coast of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. 

The Day of Struggles, organized by the Movement of People Affected by Dams (Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens – MAB), will be attended by 2,600 people from all over the country. From Espírito Santo, 10 buses will leave to join the caravans with the aim of adding to the national struggle, as well as sending the document “Theses” or “People’s Demands” to the Presidency of the Republic. The date also marks the eight-year anniversary of the collapse of the Fundão Dam on November 5.  

In the Rio Doce basin and the Espírito Santo coast, the day of struggles began in August in Governador Valadares (MG), passed through Belo Horizonte (MG) in September and closed with a call to Brasilia in Vitória, the capital of Espírito Santo, in October, with the main motto being “Renegotiation with Popular Participation”. 

Thus, the people affected are preparing to deliver their demands to the President of the Republic, organized in documents developed by the Independent Technical Advisory (Assessoria Técnica Independente – ATI) based on the demands collected in almost 10 months of work. Highlights included the approval of the National Policy on the Rights of People Affected by Dams (Política Nacional de Direitos das Populações Atingidas por Barragens – PNAB), compensation and floods. To date, there is no legal framework to protect affected populations in cases of dam breaks, incidents, construction, planning and operation in Brazil and Espírito Santo, and the approval of the PNAB is one of the milestones of the day of struggle. 

 

Background to the Fundão dam collapse:  

Almost eight years after the collapse of the Samarco dam, considered one of the biggest socio-technological disasters in the world, those affected in the Rio Doce basin and on the Capixaba coast report that the problems resulting from the arrival of the mud have only increased. Thousands of families were not recognized as affected and few were compensated, most of them receiving unfair amounts. It is important to remember that even those who did not have their homes invaded by the mud were affected, and the entire population of Espírito Santo suffered significant impacts, whether on the economy, tourism, the environment, access to water, health and community relations. 

During this period, the affected population of Espírito Santo (ES) has been organizing itself into groups of affected people, debating their agendas and carrying out various activities to make demands. With each activity, you can see the devastation that still persists in the daily lives of these people. Even in the face of the difficulties that have accumulated over the last critical political period, those affected have been excited and enthusiastic about organizing and continuing the fight for their rights, organizing themselves in the MAB so that, through popular pressure, their demands can be met.  

In addition to the national agenda around the National Policy for People Affected by Dams, and the fight for a fair renegotiation, with Popular Participation and effective reparations, other agendas will be presented by those affected in ES:  

  • Auxiliary program: “Rio Doce without Hunger”: provision of a monthly amount for all affected families to participate in the reparation process; 

  • Popular fund for those affected: implementation of programs and proposals for the development of affected communities; 

  • Continuity of the Independent Technical Advisory Services: support with qualified information for the Affected Parties in the reparation process; 

  • Priority for women in programs; 

  • Revitalization of the Rio Doce and contaminated areas for environmental remediation: “Rio Doce Alive! Clean Water!”  

  • Maintaining CIF Deliberation 58: reiterating the recognition of the Espírito Santo coastline and the enforcement of the rights of those affected in this area; 

  • Programs to repair damage to the population’s physical and mental health; 

  • End the Renova Foundation: reorganize the framework for the participation of those affected in the reparation process without the participation of Foundations. 

 

Other information:  

To find out more about how to take part in the “Journey of Struggles” in Brasilia, contact the Adai teams in the territories or via the social networks @adaibrasil. 

www.instagram.com/adaibrasil 

www.facebook.com/adaibrasi 

 

 solidarity campaign for the day of struggles of people affected by dams

A campaign of solidarity and support for the struggle of those affected is being launched to raise funds to contribute to the logistics and finances of the people’s struggles. That’s the page: 

Contribute to the campaign: 

 

Mobilization 

Take part in the struggle yourself, look for the MAB team in your area and find out how to go or contribute to the struggle of those going on the journey. Or contact one of Adai’s offices for more information.  

Adai Technical Advisory offices in Espírito Santo in the territories: 

  • BAIXO GUANDU:  

Address: Rua Antônio Sampaio, 89 – Centro   

Franklin Santos – Territorial Coordination: (27) 99718-5722   

Paulyene Nogueira – Mobilization management: (27) 99835-0753   

  

  • COLATINA  

Address: Avenida Getúlio Vargas, 11 – Centro  

Hugo Rocha- Territorial Coordination: (27) 99789-3670   

Elda Alvarenga – Mobilization management: (27) 99831-2397  

  

  • MACRORREGIÃO LITORAL NORTE  

Address: Rua Montanha, 459 – Guriri Sul – São Mateus 

Saritha Vattathara – Territorial Coordination: (27) 99612-1248   

Maria Jessika – Mobilization management: (27) 99845-7089  

  

  • LINHARES  

Address: Avenida Presidente Garrastazu Médici, 240 Novo Horizonte (BNH)  

Moisés Santos – Territorial Coordination: (27) 99687-9405   

Ana Cristina Sanchaes – Mobilization management: (27) 99775-4167  

  

  • POVOAÇÃO   

Address: Avenida Caboclo Bernardo, 200   

Luana Hanauer – Territorial Coordination: (27) 99839-7333   

Jane Rosa da Silva – Mobilization management: (27) 99723-8279  

  

  • REGÊNCIA  

Address: Avenida Norberto Matheus Souza, s/n   

Mauro Rodrigues – Territorial Coordination: (27) 99693-3408  

Jane Rosa da Silva – Mobilization management: (27) 99723-8279