Análise da política pública de assistência social para a zona ribeirinha no município de Itaqui-RS frente à vulnerabilidade dos atingidos pelas cheias do rio Uruguai

Abstract

The municipality of Itaqui, on the western border of the state, is among the most affected by floods in Rio Grande do Sul, located in the stretch where there is long-term rainfall and significant spatial coverage, associated with meteorological phenomena, such as El Niño, for example, it suffers from numerous submerged homes affecting several riverside families. This fact can be understood as a result of the recurrent occupation of areas unsuitable for housing, a reflection of the current socio-environmental crisis that is evident in the region several times, emphasizing the unquestionable importance of environmental education as a tool and strategy in facing moments of chaos. The present work sought to gather evidence on the lack of Public Policies aimed at riverside communities, as well as the identity peculiarities of these social actors arising from the process of social formation of the border region and the slopes of the Uruguay River, through the synthesis of pre-existing data, through a literature review using the methodology of systematic review of studies published in the databases (Scopus/Capes), through the combination of the terms: “Public Policy”, “Riverside”, “Social Assistance” and “Social vulnerability”. There was also a historical and documentary survey of flood events in the municipality between 2010 and 2020 and an analysis of these episodes that affect urban and rural areas of the municipality, analyzing the most relevant public policies designed and implemented in the municipality and in neighboring municipalities as São Borja, Uruguaiana and Alvear-Argentina, by the social actors, as solutions to alleviate phenomena of this magnitude. It was also aimed to diagnose the real need of the residents of the riverside area of Itaqui, seeking an approximation of the reality experienced by the riverside population, through a conjunctural analysis of the same, evidencing the importance of the social assistance policy in the municipality. The specific action plan for flooding situations, a technical product from this work, seeks to support public agencies responsible for planning and crisis management in the execution of programs and projects, enabling the reduction of disturbances resulting from the floods of the Uruguay River. The methodology used brought reflections that provided the perception about the potential risk situations of this traditional community that often finds it difficult to have the main form of subsistence in the riverside area, due to several factors, such as long periods of drought, periods of floods of the river, lack of public policies and even issues that involve some aspects of cultural relativism, highlighting the need for social and community planning with actions that can contribute to reducing vulnerability and building local resilience.