The Spanish government will cover the full cost of rebuilding schools, libraries and other municipal buildings damaged in last year’s deadly floods in Valencia, the socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said.
The central government had initially said it would cover 50% of the estimated cost of €1.7 billion.
But it will now pay 100%, Sánchez said after meeting mayors from the hardest-hit municipalities in the eastern region of Valencia (main image).
‘We are talking about 100 administrative centres, more or less 45 nursery schools, 58 libraries, 55 sports centres, 40 day centres, 16 markets and many more damaged buildings,’ the prime minister said.
‘The media spotlight may have shifted to other issues, but as we said from the beginning of this crisis, the government of Spain will not look away from Valencia,’ he added.
The central government will also pick up the full €500 million tab to repair the damage done to water treatment, supply and sanitation infrastructure by the floods, Sánchez said.
Sánchez’s government has until now put together aid packages collectively worth €16.6 billion in grants and loans to help stricken citizens. ALSO READ: Sánchez defends central government’s response to Valencia floods, as aid rises to €16.6bn.
The October 2024 floods caused significant damage in about 80 cities and claimed 232 lives nationwide. Most of the deaths were in Valencia province.
ALSO READ: Royals attend memorial service in Valencia for victims of flooding.
ALSO READ: Regional president of Valencia admits to ‘mistakes’ in handling flood disaster, but refuses to resign.
El Gobierno de España es consciente de la enormidad y dureza de la tarea que queda por hacer frente a los efectos de la DANA. Estamos y estaremos a su lado el tiempo que haga falta.
Hoy he anunciado a los alcaldes y alcaldesas de los municipios afectados que el Gobierno… pic.twitter.com/fZ22HeS3Dv
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) January 23, 2025
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