Social Protection Challenges: the exposure of Social Assistance Reference Centers to flood and landslide risks

Abstract

The Social Assistance Reference Centers (CRAS) are considered the main entry points for Brazil’s Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS), which provides basic social protection to families in situations of vulnerability. Given the territorial importance of these services, this article analyzes the exposure of CRAS units to flood and landslide risks. Based on the integration of the CRAS Development Index (IDCRAS) and the Statistical Territorial Base of Risk Areas (BATER), 2,277 CRAS units located in 806 Brazilian municipalities were examined. The methodology considered the proximity of these facilities to BATER-designated areas, as well as a qualitative analysis of the IDCRAS dimensions, which assign scores to each CRAS unit based on its physical infrastructure, human resources, and the services and benefits provided. The pilot area for implementing the methodology was the Paraíba do Sul River Basin, a region historically affected by disasters. The results showed that 12% (n = 273) of the total CRAS units (n = 2,277) are located within BATER areas, while an additional 6% (n = 136) are situated within a 0.1 to 50-meter buffer from BATER boundaries. Of an estimated population of 5.5 million, 9.8% (528,173 people) reside in BATER areas. Among these, 28.63% (151,260 people) live in households without access to a general sewage network. The qualitative analysis of IDCRAS revealed that many exposed facilities exhibit pre-existing structural deficiencies, such as an inadequate number of rooms or limited capacity relative to demand, despite performing well in terms of human resources and services provided. This analysis highlights that these structural shortcomings may further exacerbate the challenges of assisting the population during emergencies. The developed methodology demonstrates potential for intersectoral articulation by integrating the IDCRAS and BATER databases, generating knowledge to support SUAS preparedness and strengthen Brazil’s civil protection and disaster risk management systems.