Faced with the slow arrival of aid in the Valencia region, a chain of solidarity orchestrated by the network of “Casa Regional Valenciana” has been set up for several days. In Valencia and Paiporta, residents are complaining about the slowness of relief and the leader of the right-wing opposition has stepped up against the government.
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In Spain, tragedy does not necessarily rhyme with national unity. “ In a national emergency, no government can sit idly by », criticizes Alberto Nuñez Feijoo, leader of the right-wing opposition to the government of Pedro Sanchez. But its zigzagging strategy is highlighted by commentators : between tackling the government and not overwhelming the president of the regional government of Valencia, Carlos Mazón labeled PPFeijoo is on a ridge line. The settling of scores will come later, say the barons of the Popular Party. Especially since in the debate constitutional questions on the prerogatives of the regions and the federal government arise.
While the visit of King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is announced this Sunday, new heavy rains are expected, which may complicate the arrival of relief, which the victims urgently need. LThe Spanish Prime Minister announcedyesterday Saturday, the sending of 5,000 soldiers and 5,000 additional police and gendarmes to help the inhabitants of the south-east of the country, ravaged by dramatic floods. A response to the fifth day of the crisis the anger of the victims.
In the Valencia suburb of Paiporta, particularly affected, residents are angry. The memory of this Dantesque evening for Laura Cascales, between the water rising at full speed, the crashing of the cars against the wall of the house and the fear that he would not withstand the shock, is also this alert late on the phone. The mobiles screamed between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., but it was too late: “ At 9 p.m., there was almost two meters of water at my house! It’s a shame. They couldn’t have raised more alarm? I came home from work. One more minute, a red light and I wouldn’t have made it home in time, she is indignant at the microphone of Pauline Gleizesent special in Spain. I got out of my car and the police shouted : “The canal is overflowing, everyone come home!” Good god! You couldn’t warn before ? »
Between the late alert and the help arriving in dribs and drabs, Marisa Planeis is also furious: “ We have help from neighbors, people from the surrounding area. But we have no help from the government. My grandmother can’t go out. She’s been stuck upstairs in her house for four days because they couldn’t clean the street. »
In the city center, police cars and civil protection come and go. Some army vehicles also arrived, far fewer than volunteers. THE Galicia ship of the Spanish Navy is heading towards Valencia with several operating theaters and rescue helicopters on board. The crew is trained in emergency response.
International aid
In Valencia too, mutual aid is being organized. Many local residents are traveling to affected areas to clear streets and homes. And in recent days, a surge of solidarity has found an international echo. An aid kitty has been put online at the initiative of the centers dedicated to the promotion of culture in the Valence region, located in Brussels, Paris and Montpellier. “I have family members who live on a third floor and are still isolated by rubble, branches, mud and piles of cars », explains Corine Romero, president of the Montpellier center, at the microphone of Grégoire Mothe.
The centers in Chile and London are also mobilized. The objective is to take over from emergency relief, with material aid. “ Material aid will be beds, mattresses, lots of clothes, something to furnish, something to sleep in and be able to cook for yourself, lists Corine Romero. And to regain a semblance of autonomy and independence. » Material which should arrive in the Valencia region by December.
Also readFloods in Spain: angry at aid deemed too slow, Valencians organize themselves