Madrid, Nov 5 (EFE).- The Government of Spain approved this Tuesday the declaration of an area seriously affected by a civil protection emergency for Valencia and the rest of the areas flooded last week, which will facilitate the delivery of aid to those affected. , announced the president of the executive, Pedro Sánchez.
Sánchez assured that his cabinet works “from the first moment” in four priority areas: saving lives, recovering the bodies of the victims “with the promptness and dignity they deserve”, guaranteeing security in the streets and restoring supplies and services. of the affected areas.
Economic and financial measures
The first package of measures, approved today by the Council of Ministers, has a total cost of 10.6 billion euros, to be distributed in 78 municipalities in the east and south of Spain (75 in the Valencian Community, 2 in Castilla-La Mancha and 1 of Andalusia), to help households, and also companies, the self-employed and institutions affected by dana, but the list “may be expanded to other municipalities, other autonomous communities (regions)” and “with “the least possible paperwork and the greatest speed and agility.”
Direct aid to individuals will be universal, without a maximum income threshold and exempt from taxation and includes up to 72,000 euros for cases of disability, between 20,000 and 60,000 for the repair of each affected home, up to 10,300 for damaged furniture and belongings and up to 37,000 for the neighboring communities.
There will also be direct aid of 838 million euros for small and medium-sized businesses and for self-employed workers in the most affected areas: from 5,000 euros for the self-employed to between 10,000 and 150,000 for companies, which can begin to be collected in less than a month.
The figure of extraordinary temporary disability is created for people with physical or psychological damage caused by injury, which will be considered a work accident and therefore guarantees 75% of the salary, and the possibility is facilitated for the self-employed to request the benefit. for cessation of activity, which will be 70% of their contribution base, even if they have not completed 12 months and without any reduction in future benefits.
The plan includes a line of guarantees worth 5,000 million euros for companies and the self-employed, a delay in the payment of taxes pending with the Tax Agency, an agreement with financial entities to postpone the full payment of mortgage or personal loans for three months paying only the interest for nine additional months and the reduction for farms and agricultural activities in the affected areas, among other measures.
In addition, the Government of Spain will pay 100% of the emergency expenses incurred by the affected municipalities and will pay up to 50% of all the works they have to carry out in the coming months and years to repair infrastructure, facilities and services such as roads, sports centers, or civic centers.
Disaster mitigation
The Government’s action will consist, he added, of three phases: the first of them, an “urgent” response to the catastrophe; the second, the reconstruction of the affected areas and, the third, the “relaunch” phase, which will focus on the “necessary transformation to adapt the territory to the climate emergency” that is uniquely affecting the “beloved Mediterranean Sea.”
Sánchez specified that the number of soldiers, national police and civil guards deployed in the province of Valencia has increased from 7,300 troops to 14,898, reinforced by the presence of 287 forestry brigades, a hundred customs agents, 44 forensic doctors and 600 vehicles and machinery. specialized for pumping, cleaning and supplying the affected areas.
According to their data, the electricity supply was also restored to 98% of the affected homes and 40 kilometers of roads and 74 kilometers of railways were repaired, in addition to enabling all lanes of the Spanish highways A 7 and A 3 and reactivating the bus service. medium and long distance trains between cities like Valencia or Barcelona, among others.
However, “this is not enough, there are still missing persons to be located, homes and businesses destroyed, buried under mud and many people suffering from severe deprivation.”
In fact, this Tuesday the body of one of those missing on October 29 as a result of the dana was found in the town of Letur (southeast of the peninsula).
Also today, the regional president of the Valencian Community, Carlos Mazón, announced that he will appear next Thursday, November 14, before the Valencian Cortes (regional parliament) to give public explanations of the management of the catastrophe.
As for Sánchez, he recalled that “there is still a lot to do” and that is why he announced that he will not enter into political debates until the situation is clarified because “there will be time both in the Valencian Cortes and in the Congress of Deputies to analyze the responsibilities of each person and knowing exactly how to improve Civil Protection systems.
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It seems you are sharing a detailed account of the response to the recent floods in Valencia, Spain, along with accompanying images. The information highlights the financial aid being provided by the Spanish government to individuals and businesses affected by the disaster, as well as the various measures being implemented for recovery and reconstruction.
Key points from the account include:
1. **Direct Aid**:
– Universal aid without income thresholds, including up to €72,000 for disabilities, €20,000 to €60,000 for home repairs, €10,300 for damaged personal belongings, and up to €37,000 for neighboring communities.
– Specific aid of €838 million allocated for small and medium-sized businesses and self-employed workers, with immediate funding available.
2. **Employment Support**:
– Introduction of extraordinary temporary disability status for those injured, equating it to a work accident with salary guarantees.
– Provisions for the self-employed to access benefits during business interruptions.
3. **Financial Measures**:
– A guarantee line of €5 billion for businesses.
– Deferral of tax payments and agreements with financial institutions for loan payment postponements.
4. **Emergency Response and Reconstruction**:
– Three-phase plan: urgent response, reconstruction, and long-term transformation for climate adaptation.
– Significant military and police support in recovery efforts, with restoration of utility services and infrastructure repairs already underway.
5. **Public Accountability**:
– Communication from the regional president regarding the management of the catastrophe, with a promise of transparency and accountability in future discussions.
6. **Continuing Challenges**:
- Acknowledgement of ongoing struggles, including locating missing individuals and the need for further recovery efforts.
This overview emphasizes the comprehensive steps being taken by the Spanish government to address the immediate aftermath of the flooding and to plan for long-term recovery and resilience against climate-related disasters. Would you like to explore further details or assistance on a specific aspect of this situation?