RIO DE JANEIRO — Long before Brazil’s National Museum went up in flames, the people who ran it were pleading for help to renovate the dilapidated 200-year-old building that held much of the nation’s historical and scientific heritage. They appealed for $4.2 million in private donations three years ago — but received just $240,000, according to the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, which oversees the museum. Ney Santos, chairman of Observatorio Social do Brasil, another non-profit that tracks public spending, said Brazil clearly has the resources to finance small operations like the National Museum. In the wake of the fire, some government ministers blamed the university for not spending enough to maintain the museum. Officials said that has translated into cuts to many things, including museum maintenance.

Source: National Post September 27, 2018 03:56 UTC