The government of the autonomous community of Valencia has requested an initial aid package from the government in Madrid worth 31.4 billion euros to address the aftermath of deadly floods, regional authorities have announced.
“We are asking the Spanish government to provide an initial aid package of 31.402 billion euros for those affected by the storm and floods,” the authorities wrote on the “X” platform.
The funds are expected to support a 136-point plan. Proposed measures include financial compensation to victims, including reimbursement for lost vehicles, as well as assistance for repairing and reconstructing damaged infrastructure in affected areas.
Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that the government is launching an aid plan for regions where a state of emergency has been declared.
“The plan consists of three phases: the first is an immediate response, the second phase involves reconstruction of affected areas, and the third focuses on transforming the territory,” Sanchez said.
He explained that the transformation is necessary to adapt the area to the climate emergency, which especially impacts the Mediterranean.
In line with this, Sanchez announced a fourfold increase in financial assistance for all affected families, regardless of income. People with disabilities may receive up to 72.000 euros, while home repairs will be covered between 20.000 and 60.000 euros. Additionally, the Spanish authorities will allocate up to 2.300 euros to replace damaged household items.
The first package of measures according to the plan amounts to 10.6 billion euros.
The Spanish government has also approached the European Solidarity Fund with a proposal to reallocate aid for natural disasters. The plan is intended for 75 municipalities in Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Andalusia, with potential extensions to other regions if necessary.
Two days ago, the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) announced that the “meteorological crisis” had ended in the autonomous community of Valencia. The Spanish government has deployed 7.800 soldiers on the ground, and rescue operations are underway across the region, along with flood recovery efforts.
More than 200 people lost their lives in the floods that followed rains striking southeastern Spain on October 29th.
The Spanish government has declared three days of mourning.
