Pedro Sánchez appears before Congress and announces third aid package for those affected by DANA

(EFE) – The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, announced this Thursday a third aid package for those affected by the storm that affected Valencia, worth 2,274 million euros (US$ 2,393 million), which will be approved on Thursday in a Council of extraordinary Ministers.

On October 29, a strong storm caused serious flooding in the province of Valencia, which caused more than 200 deaths and extensive damage to infrastructure, industries, businesses and private homes, and which also affected, although to a lesser extent, other areas. regions of Spain.

This new aid package completes the disaster response plan devised by the Government in three phases, of which 14,373 million euros have so far been mobilized in credits and investments, bringing the total amount to 16,600 million.

Sánchez, who appeared this Wednesday in Congress to report on the Executive’s management in this catastrophe, highlighted, among the 60 measures that will be approved tomorrow, a plan for the renewal of the damaged automobile fleet that will allow citizens who need to buy a vehicle receive direct aid of up to 10,000 euros.

It will also activate a new line of 1,200 million so that the self-employed and industrial and tourist companies can repair their facilities, equipment and product stocks; and can make new investments.

Likewise, the third package will include a line of 240 million euros for the reactivation of local commerce and a line of subsidized loans for those affected SMEs that wish to acquire cutting-edge technology and machinery, for a total of 300 million euros.

The floods destroyed hundreds of businesses, in one of the areas of Spain with the most business fabric, especially SMEs.

The President of the Government pointed out that, so far, 273,600 applications for aid have been received and payments worth more than 60 million euros have already been made.

He stated that he hopes that in December “payments will be expedited” and he committed to reaching the victims “up to the last euro” announced.

Almost a month after the floods, when there are still many basements and garages with water and mud, both neighbors and companies insist on the need for aid to arrive and to arrive quickly because it is essential for their survival.