Overview

Dam affected people strengthen the struggle campaign

in various dams throughout the country

Mobilizations are part of the International Day of Action Against Dams

This week the Movement of Dam Affected People (MAB) is mobilizing in various regions of the country aiming to strengthen the debate amongst social movements and the general society on the rights of the affected people and the Brazilian energy model. The activities are part of the celebration of the 14^th of March-International Day of Action Against Dams, for Rivers, Water and Life.

In Altamira (State of Para), around 300 dam affected people set up a camp this Sunday (14^th), named “Camp against Belo Monte and in defence of the Amazon”. Yesterday (15^th), the activists marched towards the headquarters of Eletronorte to protest against the construction of the Belo Monte hydro-plant and against the chronic disrespectful attitude of the government to the situation of the people affected by the Tucuruí dam, constructed some 25 years ago. Historically the Belo Monte project has been fiercely opposed by national and international organizations and social movements for the potential social and environmental catastrophe it represents. MAB has been denouncing the project for years and did the same in the recent audience with President Lula in February.

In Minas Gerais, the dam affected people are mobilized in two regions where the dams of Aimorés and Fumaça are situated. The camps also started on Sunday and the dam affected people are demanding guarantees for their rights, like the resettlement of the families and reconstruction of the communities dismantled by the construction of the dam. Last Monday MAB held a meeting with the National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform (INCRA) and according to Claret Fernandes, regional coordinator of the Movement “the Institute promised that the 1900 dam affected families left without land in the state, will be registered by the institute and begin the resettlement process”.

In Rondônia, around 300 people affected by the Samuel, Santo Antônio and Jirau dams, set up a camp in the community Mutum, by the BR-364 highway. In addition to debating the national demand list of the Movement, the camp aims to elaborate a specific demand list for the families affected by the Jirau dam. They demand amongst other things the resettlement of the families and a detailed plan for the improvement of their life conditions since so far, they are expelled from their lands without any guarantee for compensation.

In Sobradinho (State of Bahia), 500 people affected by the Sobradinho, Itaparica, Riacho Seco and Pedra Branca dams, set up a camp yesterday, aiming manly to strengthen the articulation amongst the affected families and discuss the Brazilian energy model and its social and environmental impacts. During the mobilization they plan to analyze the implementation strategy of big infrastructure projects paying special attention to the Diversion of Rio São Francisco and the dam projects for the basin and the region. The mobilization will also serve as an opportunity to exchange ideas and construct a joint demand list from all the communities threatened and affected by the projects.

In Santa Catarina, today (16^th), people affected in this state and in neighbouring Rio Grande do Sul set up two camps in the municipalities Capão Alto and Águas do Chapecó aiming mainly to organize and strengthen their struggle for land. About 7 out of 10 affected families have not received any compensation from the dam construction companies when they were expelled from their lands. In that sense, the state agencies of INCRA will start registering the families that have not been resettled yet.

In Tocantins, the people affected by the Estreito dam, camped since July 2009 close to the worksite, will hold a big evaluation assembly for the nine months of the mobilization. “The Estreito dam is the example of what should not happen with a river, with the people and the environment. The construction companies have denied our rights and with money from BNDES, are transforming river Tocantins into an immense lake”, said a local coordinator. Estreito is the seventh hydroelectric dam on river Tocantins while at least three more are projected.

MAB wants to make clear that the patience of the people affected and threatened by dams throughout the country, is running out and this might lead to conflicts is several regions. Recently in the audience with President Lula, the movement alerted the government about this and in particular regarding the revolt of the people threatened by the Belo Monte project. Jose Josivaldo Alves from the national coordination of MAB affirmed that “with this mobilization we aim to push for the cancelation of the dam and we also want to press the Government to consider our demands and create public policies aimed at improving the living conditions of the communities. We can´t wait anymore”.