At least 36 people have died, around 50 are missing and more than 2,000 are now homeless. These are the victims of heavy rains in the northern coast of São Paulo, putting the city of São Sebastião in the eye of the hurricane.
Undoubtedly, the current Bolsonarist governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans) and the previous governments that disregarded the social crisis, the forecasts of the Meteorological Institutes, and the Civil Defense alerts are responsible for this.
There is no in-depth social policy to solve the issue of housing deficit, avoiding the disorderly occupation of hills and risk areas, combined with a policy of environmental preservation and combating real estate speculation.
This is the solution that could have saved lives and avoided more and more tragedies.
We demand that the public authorities, in all spheres, especially the government of Sao Paulo and the federal government, besides constituting a crisis cabinet, have an effective plan to shelter the people and find those who are missing. In addition to immediately relocating all those who are in places at risk, making public buildings and hotel networks available to homeless families. To initiate and conclude, in the shortest possible time, structural works, public housing and public works plans to generate employment.
The climate crisis will give no respite and will further aggravate the situation of poverty of the poor and working population living in the peripheries and hillsides. The population is already mobilizing, collecting donations to help our class brothers and sisters.
Revolução Socialista (PSOL) and Tendência Sindical Unidos Pra Lutar/CSP-Conlutas stand in solidarity with all the affected families and deeply regret the confirmed deaths.
We have joined the solidarity campaign and our militancy is available, on a voluntary basis, to help in whatever is necessary. As an immediate decision, we will promote a food collection campaign (food, drinking water, first aid kits, hygiene and cleaning materials, warm clothes, etc.).
We appeal to the National Board of CSP-Conlutas and to all affiliated unions so that both our central and the other trade union centers spare no effort to carry out this solidarity campaign.
São Paulo- SP, February 20, 2023
Central Committee of the Socialist Revolution/PSOL National Directorate of Unidos Pra Lutar (CSP-Conlutas)