Plan works mainly in the Northeast - the neediest region of the country - where the mortality rate is 50% higher than the national average, income almost 40% lower and the illiteracy rate more than twice as high. 

Recife, the capital of Pernambuco state, is the economic and political capital of the Northeast and the base of Plan operations in Brazil. Extremely poor communities live in its urban periphery.

We currently work with more than 75,000 children and adolescents in approximately 150 communities in Pernambuco and Maranhão states:

Cabo de Santo Agostinho

This programme unit covers 2 municipalities in Pernambuco state – Cabo de Santo Agostinho and Jaboatão dos Guararapes.  Urban growth in these municipalities on the outskirts of Recife has been very disorganised Consequently the infrastructure and public services are inadequate, unemployment is high and violence is extremely widespread.

São Luís

This programme unit in the state of Maranhão covers Itaqui-Bacanga and Cidade Olímpica in the municipality of São Luis, and the neighbouring municipality of São José de Ribamar. 

Codó

Plan Brazil’s newest programme unit (4 years old) is in the interior of Maranhão.  It covers 3 municipalities: Codó, Timbiras and Peritoró.  These municipalities, located approximately 300 km from the capital São Luís, lack most aspects of development. 

Basic services such as water, sanitation, health and education are extremely poor.  33% of children aged 7 to 14 are illiterate and Codó, specifically also has one of the highest infant mortality rates in Brazil.