16.11.2015 - UNESCO Office in Brasilia
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Back to topUNESCO in Brazil calls on all parties to mitigate the impacts of the dam break in Minas Gerais
UNESCO in Brazil calls for mutual support and joint efforts of all actors of society – governments, private sector and non-governmental organizations – to minimize the social, economic and environmental losses resulting of the spread of mining waste in the region due to a dam burst of an iron ore mine in Mariana (MG). At this moment, the actions should be aimed at humanitarian aid to affected people and at the mitigation of environmental impacts.
The Organization believes that this tragedy should be seen as an alert for all actors and managers involved in the mining activities, so that public policies in the areas of mining and environment are well planned, implemented and monitored. This way, it aims to prevent that a similar tragedy happens in any other of the 700 mine waste dams existing in the country.
UNESCO in Brazil extends its sympathy to all people affected by the tragedy taken place on 05 November, 2015 that killed over 11 people, at least 12 are still missing, hundreds are displaced and thousands are left without access to clean freshwater.
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