The Brazilian government said Tuesday that it will release 100 million reais (55 million US dollars) in emergency assistance to the flood zones in the Northeast.

The funds are earmarked for the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco that have been hit by heavy rains and flooding over last weekend. The disaster has left at least 41 dead while hundreds of others are still missing.

Besides financial assistance, the government will also send emergency supplies to the flood zones.

"We tends to fill the resources gap, but the total cost is unknown because there are places still flooded," said Planning Minister Paulo Bernardo.

A group of 400 from the elite National Security Force is ready to go to Alagoas and Pernambuco to help victims, logistics and food distribution.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has ordered all ministries to participate in the relief operation, is scheduled to arrive in the flood zones Tuesday afternoon to assess the situation.

A cabinet panel coordinated by the Institutional Security Cabinet of the Presidency was created to address the disaster.