audio, stills, text and or video: Go to http://www.zReportage.com to see more - Thousands of favela residents are fighting eviction orders in Sao Paulo and other major Brazilian cities as the country prepares for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 summer Olympics. Favelas are ''informal'' communities that were founded over the 20th century by squatters in response to the lack of formal and affordable housing in Brazil. Most have since grown into densely-built neighborhoods with a vibrant social life, yet still suffer from a lack of infrastructure and public services, and have been ruled by ruthless drug gangs. A network of local advocacy groups, estimates that 170,000 Brazilians will have be evicted by the time the 2016 Olympics kick off. Residents and activists deem these evictions abusive and unnecessary, and plans for relocations have been criticized as vastly inadequate. Sao Paulo has the largest number of slums of any city in Brazil, with 20% of the municipality designated as ''irregular settlements'' or favelas. A recent UN report predicted that by 2020 there would be 55 million people living in favelas in Brazil. Expect all eyes to be on Brazil's final preparations with just over 200 days until World Cup 2014 in Rio and almost 1,000 days to Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.
© Victor Moriyama/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 20, 2013 - Parque do Gato, Brazil - Favela residents of Parque do Gato work to build their homes. The slum was raised in less than 5 days.
© Victor Moriyama/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 21, 2013 - Parque do Gato, Brazil - Favela residential zone Parque do Gato. Investments with the World Cup in Brazil is estimated at about 5 billion dollars to build stadiums, improvements in the quality of public transport, infrastructure and trade.
© Victor Moriyama/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 20, 2013 - Parque do Gato, Brazil - Favela residents of Parque do Gato work to build their homes. The demand for housing is still strong.
© Victor Moriyama/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 20, 2013 - Parque do Gato, Brazil - Favela residents of Parque do Gato at sunset near their makeshift homes.
© Victor Moriyama/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 20, 2013 - Parque do Gato, Brazil - Favela residents of Parque do Gato work to build their homes.
© Victor Moriyama/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 20, 2013 - Parque do Gato, Brazil - Favela residents of Parque do Gato work to build their homes.
© Victor Moriyama/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 21, 2013 - Parque do Gato, Brazil - Favela residents use found or salvaged materials to build a home. The slum was raised in less than 5 days.
© Victor Moriyama/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 20, 2013 - Parque do Gato, Brazil - Favela residents work to build their homes.
© Victor Moriyama/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 20, 2013 - Parque do Gato, Brazil - A Favela girl dances outside at night.
© Victor Moriyama/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 21, 2013 - Parque do Gato, Brazil - Above the make-shift residential zone Parque do Gato Favela.
© Victor Moriyama/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
