São Luis, March 8, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Maranhão is beginning to receive 41 tons of food sent by the federal government. The basic food baskets are being distributed by the Civil Defense among those left homeless by the flooding in the interior of the state.

Today, the Federal Chamber commission in charge of evaluating the damages caused by the floods in the Northeast region is visiting the municipalities of Trizidela do Vale and Pedreiras, the ones most affected by the inundations in Maranhão. The commission will meet later today, in São Luis, with the governor, José Reinaldo Tavares. (DAS)