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<\/a>The state of Rio de Janeiro has declared a \u201cstate of public calamity\u201d due to severe financial difficulties less than 50 days before the start of the Olympic Games.<\/p>\n
State governor, Francisco Dornelles, said the \u201cserious economic crisis\u201d could stop the government from \u201chonouring its commitments\u201d to host the Games.<\/p>\n
The Olympics are set to begin on 5 August, and the country already faces a public health crisis over the Zika epidemic, as well as a presidential impeachment trial and a deepening recession.
\nThe governor has blamed his state\u2019s financial crisis on the impact the global oil crash has had on tax revenues, while Brazil has battled worsening recession.<\/p>\n
In a decree, Mr Dornelles said the economic situation could trigger a \u201ctotal collapse in public security, health, education, mobility and environmental management\u201d, and has appealed to the federal government for aid ahead of the Games.<\/p>\n
Mr Dornelles said: \u201cThe objective of the decree is to present to the society of Rio de Janeiro the financial difficulties of the state, paving the way for tough measures in the financial field and calling attention of the federal authorities to the difficulties that we have been having with the metro, with health, with public security, so that they can work with us.\u201d <\/p>\n
During a visit to the Olympic Park, Brazil\u2019s interim president Michel Temer promised significant financial help for the Games, but has not yet named a figure.
\nRio\u2019s mayor, Eduardo Paes, said: \u201cThe position of the Rio City Hall is absolute fiscal and financial comfort.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe state of calamity decreed by the state government in no way delays Olympic works and the commitments made by Rio.<\/p>\n
\u201cTherefore, I want to reassert here the confidence that we will hold exceptional Games.\u201d<\/p>\n
The state of Rio relies heavily on tax revenues from the oil fields off Brazil\u2019s south eastern Atlantic coast. However, the tumbling price for oil has hit state finances, causing Rio to inch further and further into the red.<\/p>\n
The situation has been exacerbated by a huge corruption scandal that has engulfed the country\u2019s state-run oil company Petrobas, with senior government ministers implicated in bribery claims. <\/p>\n
The crisis has meant that public sector workers and pensioners in Rio state are owed wages in arrears, and hospitals and police stations have been unable to get basic supplies. <\/p>\n