{"id":83931,"date":"2026-08-17T11:31:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T14:31:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=83931"},"modified":"2026-08-17T11:31:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T14:31:14","slug":"acari-favela-launches-pioneering-study-on-the-impacts-of-flooding-in-the-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=83931","title":{"rendered":"Acari Favela Launches Pioneering Study on the Impacts of Flooding in the Community"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Acari<\/a>
Acari residents examine the first findings from the flood mapping carried out in their community. Photo: Vitor Garcia\/Decodifica Institute<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

On July 18, a sunny Saturday, the Acari<\/a> favela, in Rio de Janeiro’s North Zone<\/a>, launched the Portraits of Floods<\/em><\/a> study. Produced by the Decodifica Institute<\/a> in partnership with grassroots collectives from four favelas in Rio de Janeiro and the northeastern state of Pernambuco, the study generated data on the impacts of heavy rainfall across these favelas.<\/p>\n

The Acari survey and launch were carried out by the Fala Akari<\/a> Collective. Through a Citizen-Generated Data (CGD<\/a>) process\u2014a term used to describe community-led research conducted by residents themselves<\/a>, without relying on scientists or academic institutions\u2014226 families were interviewed throughout 2025, generating portraits of daily life in the favela before, during and after floods.<\/p>\n

The launch* took place at the Mothers of Acari Cultural Center and was part of the Portraits of Floods Community Forum<\/a>, a stage of the project dedicated to presenting the findings to the mapped community<\/a> and, based on its main demands, collaboratively developing solutions with residents.<\/p>\n

\"Researchers<\/a>
Researchers from the Decodifica Institute and the Fala Akari Collective during the Portraits of Floods Community Forum. Photo: Vitor Garcia\/Decodifica Institute<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Complexo de Acari and Its Geography<\/h3>\n

Covering over 160 hectares, the Complexo de Acari favela is located in Rio de Janeiro’s North Zone and borders five neighborhoods: Pavuna<\/a>, Costa Barros<\/a>, Coelho Neto<\/a>, Parque Col\u00fambia<\/a> and Iraj\u00e1<\/a>. The community lies within the Guanabara Bay<\/a> watershed and is crossed by the Acari River, from which it takes its name. The river originates in Greater Rio’s Baixada Fluminense<\/a> region, in the Gericin\u00f3 Mountains<\/a>, in Duque de Caxias<\/a>, and flows through S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o de Meriti<\/a> before reaching the city of Rio. Although it is part of the S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o de Meriti River<\/a> basin, it is directly influenced by the Pavuna River<\/a>. After flowing through part of Baixada Fluminense and Rio’s North Zone, it empties into Guanabara Bay.<\/p>\n

Acari’s geography is unique: parts of the community lie at the same elevation as Guanabara Bay, while others are even below sea level. As a result, the favela is highly vulnerable to flooding. These events have been part of residents’ daily lives for years and are frequently reported<\/a> by the media, including RioOnWatch<\/em> in 2023<\/a>, 2025<\/a> and, most recently, 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
Ver essa foto no Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Um post compartilhado por Coletivo Fala Akari (@coletivofalaakari)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n