Madrid (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Spain’s Prime Minister Sánchez seeks EU support for recovery from severe flooding, which has claimed 211 lives.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez requested support from the European Union to aid Spain recover from what he called “the most severe flooding that our continent has seen so far this century.”
How has the European Solidarity Fund been involved?
PM Sánchez expressed during a news conference in Madrid: “We are in communication with the European Commission and we have started the procedures to request aid from the European Solidarity Fund and the usage of other community support resources from the European Union.”
The devastating torrents so far have killed 211 people. Sanchez’s government is expected to authorise a ‘state of catastrophe’, which will permit quick access to financial aid. “I know that there are tough problems and shortages, that there are still crumpled services, municipalities buried by mud, desperate people peeking for their relatives, people who cannot access their homes, homes demolished and buried by mud.”
Sanchez said that he understands much more needs to be done, “we have to give our all,” he stated, “but I also know that we have to do it together.”
What are the criticisms of the government’s response?
According to sources, many volunteers took to the roads to help as they felt deserted by authorities. The Spanish administration has also come under fire from some opposition lawmakers and the public as they feel the central government did not warn people in time.
How has public sentiment shaped the relief efforts?
Sanchez directly addressed the critique he received in his address and admitted that the government’s reaction fell short, but expressed there will be time to investigate negligence and reflect on how to enhance moving forward. “There will be time to talk about the significance of public services and their reinforcement in circumstances we are experiencing as a result of the climate emergency… There will already be time to look back, to explain responsibilities, to learn to be better in the face of these climatic impacts that unfortunately are going to accompany us in the future.”
