The creation of this agency also involved modifications to Annex III of Decree 50/19, which establishes the competencies of decentralized bodies, incorporating the AFE within the structure of the Ministry of National Security.
Redefinition of functions in the Cabinet and other ministries
Meanwhile, the Government introduced changes to the Ministry Law 22.520 through decree 223/2025, redefining the functions of the Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers in relation to emergencies and catastrophes. Now, it is stipulated that the Chief of the Cabinet must "collaborate with national, provincial, or private entities, to protect the community against natural or man-made disasters". Additionally, he will intervene in the coordination of preventive and immediate response actions.
In the context of these structural modifications, changes were also approved in the ministries of Defense and National Security. In the Ministry of Defense, the Undersecretariat of Civil Defense and Humanitarian Protection was created, and other areas that previously had similar functions were eliminated.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Security incorporated new areas, such as the Undersecretariat of Penitentiary Affairs and the Secretariat for the Fight against Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime, which will include two specific undersecretariats: Fight against Drug Trafficking and Criminal Investigation.
Personnel allocations from the Ministry of Defense were also transferred to the Ministry of National Security, especially those related to planning and coordination in emergencies, to strengthen the operability of the new agency.
A national strategy to face catastrophes
With these measures, the Government seeks a more efficient and centralized management of natural and anthropic emergencies, ensuring a rapid and coordinated response from the national State. The creation of the AFE is seen as a key step to improve disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as the care of affected communities.
