Caixa launched a protocol aimed at accelerating response measures to the consequences of extreme climate events.
The core objective of the document is to mitigate the impacts of disasters and enhance the bank’s response capacity, thereby promoting the protection of life, public safety, and community resilience in the face of climate- and environment-related emergencies. The initiative also supports the development of a national disaster prevention and response network, in coordination with public institutions.
The protocol encompasses a range of emergency measures, from the release of special measures—such as government assistance and access to the FGTS (Length-of-Service Guarantee Fund)—to the temporary suspension of service fees, loan repayments, and financing charges.
It also provides rapid response mechanisms for situations where human life is at risk and where numerous businesses face the threat of collapse.
Upon receiving a risk alert from a competent authority, the bank will disseminate the information across its own branches and partner units, including lottery outlets and self-service stations.
From that point forward, communication channels—such as the website, WhatsApp, Caixa Tem, FGTS app, and Housing app—will be activated. Where necessary, service delivery will be tailored to the local population to ensure access to and information about social benefits, FGTS, housing, rural credit, microcredit, and working capital.
Additionally, certain services that traditionally required in-person attendance at bank branches may now be provided through digital channels.
In cases where local infrastructure is compromised, mobile task forces may be deployed using trucks or temporary stations set up in shelters and gymnasiums. Alternative forms of identification may also be accepted for clients who do not have official documents.
The President of Caixa, Carlos Vieira, noted that the protocol represents a concrete measure in addressing the climate crisis.
“It aims to strengthen the bank’s governance and enable the mobilisation of resources, agility, technological integration, information sharing, and cooperation, so that we may confront the unpredictability of events driven by climate change in the country”, he stated.
Waldez Góes, Minister of Regional Development, commended Caixa for its initiative, which reflects the engagement of public institutions with the National Civil Protection and Defence Plan.
“Public policy falls within the purview of the federal government, but prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and reconstruction occur across diverse territories and at all levels of government, in addition to private and social volunteer efforts. Initiatives such as this one will be replicated across many other federal agencies,” he stated.
Nahuel Arenas, Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean at the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), reaffirmed the importance of the protocol and reiterated the need to draw lessons from recent natural disasters in the country.
“Brazilian institutions spared no effort to prevent the worst,” he stated.
