Brazilian Gangs

CNN reports that the gangs in the Rio de Janeiro's favelas implemented a system to provide hand sanitiser, medicine and cash handouts to a population with no access to the Brazilian welfare system.

"Doctors from the community are helping the sick people voluntarily," a gang member said. "The people who have money can get assistance. The ones who haven't just can't.".

With Brazil’s coronavirus death toll rising to 46, gang members in the Cidade de Deus (City of God) favela in western Rio order residents to remain indoors after 8pm. The gang uses loudspeakers broadcasting an alert: “Anyone found messing or walking around outside will be punished.” The gangs of other favelas are following this principle and threaten the 2mio favela-residents to remain at home during the crisis.