They donated boots, a check, a few tickets or plan to send a truckload of water bottles. The people of Haut-Viennois are not indifferent to the misfortune that the Spaniards are going through.
In the office of the mayor of Bosmie-l'Aiguille, this Monday morning, the telephone is overheating. “I'm calling everywhere to send a semi-trailer of water bottles to Pedralba,” says Michel Leboutet. The Spanish town, twin of the Haut-Viennoise commune, was ravaged by recent floods. Drinking water will not be restored for eight days.
“We call twice a day with the mayor. In 1999, for the storm, they sent us two generators. I don’t have a short memory,” slips the councilor who has several friends there. “They are in pain. »
In a state of total exhaustion
In a few days, his municipality will be able to accept donations that residents wish to make. But first she must learn to create a specific management.
The town of Panazol, also twin of a major disaster victim, is supporting him on the matter. There, the management is already asked to help Picanya, “more than 50% destroyed”, says Fabien Doucet, the mayor.
Boots, gloves, bleach…
“Picanya is known and recognized in Panazol. I spoke to its mayor on Friday to find out their needs. They are in a state of total exhaustion…”, says the councilor. On Sunday, at the market, a last minute stand was opened to take donations from Haut-Viennois.
“Initially, we wanted to warn people that we were going to take action. But they wanted to give, money, materials…” In one morning, the municipality and the twinning committee collected 5,000 euros, but also “brooms, boots, masks, gloves, bleach… “.
This equipment, which will leave by truck in the middle of the week, will limit the “sanitary problems” expected “in a short time”, explains Fabien Doucet.
To return the €5,000 to the twin city as quickly as possible, the mayor changed the agenda of the municipal council this Monday. The release of emergency aid of 20,000 euros also joined the list of deliberations.
“We want to send them a strong signal, show them that we are there. It’s not just a party match, we’ve been writing to each other regularly for over thirty years.” At the town hall, individuals wishing to participate in the solidarity drive have already started to show up.
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“They are going to need us for a long time”
“We are beginning to realize that many Haut-Viennois are attached to Spain,” notes, in view of the calls received, the secretary of Secours Populaire 87, Thierry Mazabraud. The association, whose branch is mobilizing on Saturday (in Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat), launched a call for donations and “made contact with Bosmie and Panazol”. Because we will have to organize ourselves in a sustainable way. “We are entering into long-term support,” he warns. The affected Spaniards will need us for a long time. »
Would you like to donate?
Eight towns are twinned with a Spanish town in Haute-Vienne, but only two, Panazol and Bosmie-l'Aiguille, are linked to a disaster town and have, to date, decided to act.
Sunday, November 10, the town and the Panazol twinning committee are organizing a collection of materials, with the International Emergency Firefighters, which should be held under the halls. The town (05.55.06.47.70) also accepts donations at the town hall during opening hours (ask at reception).
Bosmie-l'Aiguille (05.55.39.00.49) will do the same in a few days.
Secours Populaire accepts online donations at don.secourspopulaire.fr
Marion Buzy
