Brasília, 2/16/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Municipalities in the Northeast that have been hard hit by flooding are being visited by inspectors from the Health Institute (Fundação Nacional de Saúde) (Funasa), who are analyzing water quality. Funasa has spent R$300,000 to acquire equipment and material for water analysis.

Funasa will put its three mobile units into action in areas most affected by the flooding in Pernambuco, Maranhão, Piaui, Ceara and Rio Grande do Norte. These are areas that have been declared to be in a state of emergency or calamity. Meanwhile, regional water analysis units will be working in Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo and Paraíba, along with Pernambuco and Maranhão.

It is estimated that 454 municipalities were affected by the floods this year. A total of 120,000 people were left homeless. (AB)