Mariano Rajoy asserts that work is being done "quickly and diligently" to alleviate damage caused by flooding of Ebro

2015.3.6

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Zaragoza

The President of the Government, in a statement to the media, referred to the Royal Decree Law on emergency measures to repair the damage caused by flooding and other effects of the storms that ravaged Spain, approved on Friday by the Council of Ministers. Mariano Rajoy pointed out that the province of Zaragoza has been "particularly hard hit by the rising waters of the River Ebro which reached levels unseen in the last 20 years".

Mariano Rajoy acknowledged that the damage has been "significant" and that there is still no definitive estimation of the final toll because the Royal Decree Law established a term of two months for those affected to declare and substantiate the damage caused. However, he underlined that the government and the Regional Government of Aragon have been coordinating closely in an endeavour to resolve all the problems caused by flooding and take decisions in respect thereof.

The President of the Government explained that the Royal Decree Law extends the application of these initiatives to further damage that may be caused by other storms from now until 31 May this year. He also stressed that the measures will be applied to all the municipalities affected, and met with the corresponding mayors to analyse the situation and listen to their proposals.

Pool MoncloaMariano Rajoy also stressed that "both the Government of Spain and the regional government will spend whatever is necessary" to ensure the situation returns to normal. The State is going to apply emergency procedures so that the restoration work on infrastructures will help the various municipalities concerned and will establish a series of tax, employment and Social Security benefits, he stated.

The President of the Government added that the damage needs to be repaired "quickly and diligently", and the public institutions need to meet their obligations in a fully coordinated manner. "We will be quick and flexible in resolving the serious problems suffered by our citizens".

He also expressed his support for those affected and thanked the more than 1,000 people from the State law enforcement agencies and other bodies who mobilised to assist them, for their "exemplary work", having earlier met with their respective officials.