Brazil: Audit finds irregularities in Rio program; federal funds moved from housing

An audit by the Rio de Janeiro State Civil House Secretariat has identified approximately R$ 4.45 million in irregularities within the Empoderadas Program, a public policy designed to combat violence against women. The report, which has led to the program's suspension, cites payments lacking legal basis and internal control failures. Key findings include R$ 2.92 million in additional remuneration paid to 49 employees of the State University of Rio de Janeiro (Uerj) and the State Secretariat for Social Development and Human Rights, despite these individuals already being compensated through state structures. Additionally, R$ 1.53 million was spent by Uerj administrative units on items unrelated to the program, such as medical residency projects and eSocial tasks. The audit also noted management issues, including the use of a former superintendent's personal Instagram metrics to measure program performance. The state government is forwarding the findings to the Public Prosecutor's Office and the State Court of Accounts.

Separately, the Brazilian Federal Government has reallocated R$ 500 million from housing budgets to social assistance and food security programs. The majority of these funds, R$ 350 million, will support the Auxílio Gás program. The diverted resources were originally earmarked for the Residential Leasing Fund (FAR), which finances housing projects like Minha Casa, Minha Vida. Other portions of the reallocation include R$ 42.4 million for social protection services, R$ 37.1 million for purchasing food from family farms, and various allocations for nutritional security and rural productive inclusion.