The Spanish Government declared the Valencia region a “disaster zone” on Tuesday and approved a first package of 10.6 billion euros in aid for the populations and companies affected by the floods, said the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez.
The formal declaration of a disaster zone was approved by the Spanish Council of Ministers and will allow for streamlining procedures and unlocking funds to respond to the impact of last Tuesday’s floods and guarantee reconstruction, said the President of the Government, in a press conference in Madrid.
Sánchez revealed that the Council of Ministers approved this Tuesday a First aid package worth €10.6 billion for familiescompanies and local authorities, which are “just the beginning” of an immediate response and reconstruction plan for the Valencian Community, stating that procedures similar to those adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic are being followed.
Spain has also initiated the procedures to activate the solidarity fund of the European Union and has requested urgent approval in the European Parliament of a modification of the cohesion fund regulations, to be able to reprogram them and allocate them to the area affected by the floods. , like a natural disaster.
Sánchez said that in the Valencian Community there are around 15 thousand soldiers and members of the State security forces, but that there are still “Serious shortage” among the population and “missing people to be located”.
Floods in eastern Spain on Tuesday last week caused at least 217 deaths, according to the most recent reports from local and national authorities.
Source: Observadora
