The Official State Gazette (BOE) has made official this Thursday the declaration of an area severely affected by a Civil Protection emergency in the territories hit by the DANA (Isolated Depression at High Levels) in the communities of Valencia, Balearic Islands, Castilla-La Mancha, Andalusia, Catalonia and Aragon. With this declaration, the State undertakes to finance the reconstruction of the damage caused by the storm and to provide a package of economic and fiscal aid to support those affected.
A historic relief and reconstruction plan
Approved on November 5 by the Council of Ministers, the catastrophe zone decree includes a 10.6 billion euro plan to assist those affected and relaunch the devastated areas. This fund includes direct aid, tax reductions, support for business expenses and guarantees for families and SMEs. The investment is part of a broader project, known as the “Immediate Response, Reconstruction and Relaunching Plan for the Valencian Community”, which will be extended to the affected municipalities. Among the 78 localities that will receive support, most belong to the Valencian Community, although towns in the Balearic Islands and other affected communities are also included. This plan seeks not only to repair material damage, but also to strengthen infrastructures and emergency systems to improve the resilience of communities to future natural disasters.
What does the declaration of a catastrophe zone mean?
This declaration allows for the activation of urgent measures and a coordinated response to address the magnitude of the damage and respond to the needs of citizens. With the entry into force, the State will be able to intervene to restore affected infrastructure and public assets, in addition to providing support for housing and basic services for citizens. The measure also facilitates the management of compensation, aid for property damage and subsidies for small businesses and the self-employed.
