It has been commented that the majority of deaths were in poverty-stricken areas , and that the impact in these areas could have been much lower if it had not been for the systematically poor conditions of Brazil 's '' favelas '' . The lack of proper attention to these areas has led some to describe the disaster as " more manmade than natural . " President Dilma Rousseff declared that an emergency R$ ( ) would become available for reconstruction workers . Acting governor Luís Fernando Pezão sent reinforcements to the affected region and requested urgent federal assistance in machinery , helicopters and manpower . Rescue efforts were led by municipal governments , which also provided shelter and amenities for the newly homeless , often in schools . The Brazilian Navy and the Rio de Janeiro state government set up field hospitals to assist the victims and to support rescue workers . A team of workers in the operation had prior experience with the 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and 2010 Haiti earthquake . Analysts have commented that President Rousseff through her management of the crisis " passed ... her first big test " , but that the structural challenges that make certain ( poverty-stricken ) areas particularly hard hit in times of environmental disaster , still need to be addressed
2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
January 2011 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides