The Rio Doce Fund allocates R$ 562,6 million to strengthen healthcare in municipalities affected by Mariana.
With this new disbursement, the Rio Doce Fund, managed by BNDES, has surpassed R$ 1,12 billion in transfers since the start of its operation just three months ago.
247 - The Brazilian National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) announced the release of R$ 562,6 million for the Rio Doce Special Health Program, which will support municipalities in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo affected by the collapse of the Fundão dam in Mariana (MG). According to information from... BNDES News AgencyThe funds were transferred to the Ministry of Health, which will be responsible for distributing and implementing actions to strengthen the Unified Health System (SUS) in the region.
The program includes investments in the construction and renovation of healthcare facilities, as well as professional training, telehealth and digital health projects, and the acquisition of supplies, medications, ambulances, and equipment. The initiative is financed by the Rio Doce Fund, created in 2023 as part of the new reparation agreement signed between the federal government, states, Samarco, Vale, and BHP Billiton, with the participation of judicial and social representation bodies.
With this new release, the Rio Doce Fund has surpassed R$ 1,12 billion in disbursements since the start of its operation, just three months ago. Until now, resources had already been allocated to income transfer programs for fishermen and farmers, social assistance, and the funding of independent technical advisory services chosen by the affected communities.
During a ceremony at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva highlighted the importance of the new reparation model. “It’s possible to do things differently than they were done before. It’s possible to make people dream again. And that’s what we’re striving for,” he stated. In a speech addressed to the affected communities, he added: “It’s a lot of money. It may be little compared to the accumulated needs and suffering of the people. But the concrete fact is that we did our best. And we only achieved this because you were resilient. As Brazilians, you never gave up and never stopped believing in your struggle.”
The president of BNDES, Aloizio Mercadante, also highlighted the progress made possible by the agreement. “The assessment of the first three months of operation of the Rio Doce Fund is quite positive. (...) We are committed to effective reparation and we are certain that the launch of the Special Health Program will be fundamental to expanding services and the care network in the affected territories and regions,” he stated.
In total, 48 municipalities had their Health Action Plans approved. Construction or renovation works are planned for 37 Basic Health Units (UBS), 34 Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS), 11 Emergency Care Units (UPAs), and 7 polyclinics. Among the most prominent projects are the University Hospital in Mariana (MG), in partnership with the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), and the Water Reference Center in Governador Valadares (MG), which will monitor the water quality of the Rio Doce basin.
In addition to the infrastructure projects, three Reference Centers for Exposure to Chemical Substances will be created in Mariana, Governador Valadares, and Espírito Santo. The Ministry of Health also signed an agreement with the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) to establish the Rio Doce Health Research Network, which will last 15 years and focus on epidemiological, toxicological, and human health risk analyses.
The federal government also announced the creation of the Federal Council for Social Participation of the Rio Doce Basin and the Northern Coast of Espírito Santo, composed of representatives from civil society and the government in equal proportions. This council will be responsible for social oversight and defining criteria for the use of R$ 5 billion allocated directly to the affected communities.
For the coming years, new investments are planned: between 2025 and 2026 alone, the Ministry of Health is expected to invest R$ 1,6 billion in the Rio Doce Special Health Program. Samarco has committed to disbursing R$ 100 billion over 20 years, of which R$ 49,1 billion will go to the Federal Government and be managed by the Rio Doce Fund, focusing on health, education, science, innovation, income generation, and social and environmental remediation.