Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez promises further aid for flood areas

Nearly three months after severe storms and floods in eastern and southern Spain claimed more than 230 lives, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez returned on Thursday to the hard-hit region of Valencia.

After meeting with the mayors of 28 communities still grappling with the aftermath, Sánchez admitted that much work remains to be done.

“We have only taken the first steps so far,” Sánchez said in Valencia, reflecting on the immense destruction caused by the floodwaters in October, which damaged homes, schools and key infrastructure, resulting in 224 deaths in the region.

The prime minister assured that Spain would continues to support the Valencians and has so far provided €16 billion ($16.6 billion) in reconstruction aid and compensation.

A visit to the worst-hit areas, such as Paiporta, where 45 people died, was not part of the programme this time.

In early November, during an event he attended with King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Valencia Premier Carlos Mazón, the group faced verbal abuse from angry residents and was even pelted with mud.

Many are upset about what they perceive as the late weather warning from the regional government and the delayed arrival of rescue workers.

According to the Spanish government’s delegate in Valencia, Pilar Bernabé, about 4,000 soldiers from the military emergency unit and other armed forces remain deployed in the region.

Many businesses as well as schools and even police stations are still closed in some areas due to water damage.

Nearly three months after severe storms and floods in eastern and southern Spain claimed more than 230 lives, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez returned on Thursday to the hard-hit region of Valencia.

After meeting with the mayors of 28 communities still grappling with the aftermath, Sánchez admitted that much work remains to be done.

“We have only taken the first steps so far,” Sánchez said in Valencia, reflecting on the immense destruction caused by the floodwaters in October, which damaged homes, schools and key infrastructure, resulting in 224 deaths in the region.

The prime minister assured that Spain would continues to support the Valencians and has so far provided €16 billion ($16.6 billion) in reconstruction aid and compensation.

A visit to the worst-hit areas, such as Paiporta, where 45 people died, was not part of the programme this time.

In early November, during an event he attended with King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Valencia Premier Carlos Mazón, the group faced verbal abuse from angry residents and was even pelted with mud.

Many are upset about what they perceive as the late weather warning from the regional government and the delayed arrival of rescue workers.

According to the Spanish government’s delegate in Valencia, Pilar Bernabé, about 4,000 soldiers from the military emergency unit and other armed forces remain deployed in the region.

Many businesses as well as schools and even police stations are still closed in some areas due to water damage.