The first people to be assisted in town are those who suffered non-material damage due to the water distribution interruption
This Tuesday, 11/01, the Renova Foundation initiated in Colatina the program for indemnifying the communities affected by the collapse of the Fundão dam, property of Samarco Mineração. The Mediated Indemnity Program (PIM) is aimed at compensating those affected, in a timely manner, with a mutual agreement and without the procedures of a lawsuit.
PIM is open to individuals, families, micro and small businesses that suffered material loss or loss of economical activities, as a direct and immediate consequence of the collapse. The participation is voluntary and free of charge. Those interested who have filed a lawsuit can join the PIM. However, in case they agree with the proposal, they should stop the process in order to receive the payment.
PRIORITY – PHASE 1: Damage related to the water supply interruption and water distribution.
During this first period, the program will exclusively assist those who were affected by the interruption to the supply and distribution of drinking water due to the collapse of the Fundão dam. Appointments should be made through the Call Center – 0800 031 2303, according the starting date of each region – description in the below table – services section.
After making the appointment, the person should come to one of the Mediated Indemnity Centers of Colatina, according the date and time scheduled. The necessary documentation is described in the below chart – services section.
How does the proposal work?
The interested party may already receive the indemnity proposal and the agreement term for analysis during the first meeting, in case the presented documentation is complete and is in fact eligible. In case of an agreement, the formalization takes place during the second meeting at the Mediated Indemnity Center. Between the first and second meeting, an interval of 10 days is given, fundamental for the person to evaluate and reflect about the proposal, before signing the agreement.
Payment of damage caused by water
The indemnity payment will take place through a benefit card and up to 30 days after signing the terms of the agreement, the cancellation of lawsuits (if existing) and legal approvals (if necessary).
PHASE 2: General damage
To participate in the indemnity process for general damage, the person should have passed, mandatorily, the integrated registration, which will take place in the impacted regions. After the registration has been concluded and in case the person is identified as directly impacted, an appointment should be scheduled through the Call Center. The processes shall be assessed case by case and defined by means of mediated sessions.
One of the two fix Mediated Indemnity Centers, already in use in Valadares, will also be enabled to assist the requests for general damages.
At the indemnity sessions for general damages are present the impacted party, a representative of the Renova Foundation and an impartial and independent mediator. The mediation can be attended by a lawyer or another person who the affected person trusts. Public Defenders will also be available for supporting those interested in legal assistance. The whole process will take place in a restricted and confidential manner.
How does the proposal work?
From the moment of scheduling the appointment through the Call Center, at least three meetings will take place:
- Preparatory meeting: presentation of the documents that demonstrate the damage and completion of the form;
- Proposal meeting: presentation of the proposal, in case the requestor is considered eligible;
- Acceptance Meeting: formalization of the agreement, in case the proposal is accepted.
The minimum interval between the proposal meeting and the acceptance meeting for signing the agreement is 15 days after receiving the proposal. It’s important that the people have this interval so they can evaluate and reflect about the proposal, before signing the agreement.
Payment of General Damage
The indemnity payment takes place through a deposit or benefit card and within 90 days after signing the terms of the agreement, the cancellation of lawsuits (if existing) and legal approvals (if necessary).
Calculation of General Damage indemnity
The criteria and amounts of the indemnity for general damages have been discussed previously with the representatives and public authorities and technical entities.
The valorization follows the benchmarks from technical entities, like Incaper-ES (Capixaba Institute for Research, Technical Support and Rural Extension), Emater-MG (Technical Support and Rural Extension Company of the State of Minais Gerais), Sinduscon-MG (Civil Construction Industry Union of the State of Minas Gerais) and Ibape-MG (Brazilian Institute for Assessments and Engineering Inspections of Minas Gerais), ensuring proper compensation.
For indemnifying a vehicle, for example, an amount as described in the FIPE (Institute for Economic Research Foundation) table, most used benchmark in the car market, will be used.
The Program
PIM takes part in the Transaction and Conduct Adjustment Term (TTAC), signed by Samarco, with the support of its shareholders Vale and BHP Billiton, the Federal Government, state governments of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, and other government agencies.
The Renova Foundation
The Renova Foundation is an autonomous and independent institute founded to repair the damage caused by the collapse of the Fundão dam, property of Samarco Mineração S.A., located in Mariana (MG). A private non-profit organization, created to guarantee transparency, legitimacy and sense of urgency of a complex and long term process. The Foundation was established by means of the Transaction and Conduct Adjustment Term (TTAC), signed between Samarco, its shareholders, the federal government and the state governments of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, as well as several authorities, foundations and institutes (like Ibama, the Chico Mendes Institute, the National Water Agency, the State Forestry Institute, Funai, Governmental Departments of Environment, among others), in March 2016.