Over the years in Morro Brás, located at a hill side in a place called «Trás de Igreja», has been harshly affected by flash floods and mudslides, due to unprotected slopes, and lack of anti-erosion measures. An anti-erosion and protecting wall was constructed during the 60´s by the community, but it has since eroded, and therefore not protecting community homes, and its surrounding farm lands.
The 2009 flash floods caused intensive damage on the wall, which has left the community unprotected. In consultation with the Delegation of the Ministry of Rural Development in São Nicolau, the community decided that a new protecting wall needed to be re-constructed as soon as possible.
The Association of Morro Brás drafted a proposal not only to reconstruct the wall but to enable other anti-erosion mechanisms in the area, therefore protected the village and its farm lands.