Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Monday the adoption of a new package of 110 support measures for those affected by the deadly floods of October 29 in the Valencia region, representing an investment of nearly 3.8 billion euros. . The government had already announced last week a first aid plan of 10.6 billion euros after this disaster which left more than 220 dead.
“The government is present and will be present, with all the necessary means, and as long as necessary (…) we will continue the work to restore normality in the areas hit by this natural disaster,” promised the head of the socialist government during a press conference.
200 million euros for farmers
Pedro Sánchez assured on Monday that the support measures will be extended to a greater number of people and goods, and that farmers will also receive new aid totaling 200 million euros. Pedro Sánchez compared these measures to state intervention to support the economy during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The first aid package announced last week included support for small and medium-sized businesses, self-employed workers and households who have suffered death, disability and damage to their homes or property.
Tax breaks, a three-month deferral of mortgage and loan repayments and central government spending on the huge clean-up jobs facing local councils were also announced. Thousands of soldiers, police, civil guards and emergency services are repairing destroyed infrastructure, distributing relief supplies and still searching for dozens of missing people. Widespread anger over alleged mismanagement by authorities before and after the floods resulted in mass protests on Saturday, the largest taking place in Valencia where some 130,000 people gathered.
The National Weather Service has forecast further heavy rain in the Valencia region this week.
