Why do people want to live in favelas?

Favela residents are generally satisfied. Many people who live in favelas had migrated into the large cities from the rural areas, in search of better work but cannot afford proper housing, so they are forced to live in favelas.

Are favelas good or bad?

With a lack of any structure or legal system which leads to higher crime rates, favelas are often sites of crime and drug-related violence. Rates of disease and infant mortality are high in favelas, and poor nutrition is common. The lack of sanitation and proper healthcare leads to diseases and more deaths in children.

How can favelas improve life?

The authorities in Rio de Janeiro have set up self-help schemes in the favelas. People are given tools and training to improve their homes. Low-interest loans may be used to help people fund these changes. People may be given legal ownership of the land they live on.

What are three facts about favelas?

Top Facts about Slums in Rio de Janeiro and Brazil

• The common term for a Brazilian slum is a favela.
• Favelas grew as migration increased.
• Approximately six percent of Brazil’s population lives in favelas.
• The typical favela has poor infrastructure, leading to difficulties in electricity and plumbing.

What are self-help schemes?

Self-help schemes These are small scale projects which allow local people to use their skills to help improve their local area. The Government has provided materials such as bricks, cement and glass to enable residents to improve their own homes.

Do favelas have toilets?

The houses in these settlements have no basic amenities such as running water or toilets, so diseases like cholera and dysentery are common. Overcrowding is a major problem in Rio’s favelas. On average, the population density is about 37,000 people per square kilometre.

What of people in favelas are unemployed?

Unemployment rates can be greater than 20\% in the favelas. Around one-third of workers in Rio are in the informal sector completing jobs such as car washing, recycling and street vending. These jobs are poorly paid and can be dangerous.

How do favelas get electricity?

Electricity was supplied to the favela informally by public electricity company Light. There was a man in Rocinha known as “Batista.” Light gave him a concession to distribute and charge for the use of electricity, which served a very small fraction of the favela.

Do favelas have running water?

The poorer areas are usually higher on the hilltop, with many houses only accessible on foot. In Rio’s favelas, most homes are made from brick and cement, a majority have running water and about 99\% have electricity.