The Government of Aragón has announced a significant financial aid package totaling 20 million euros, aimed at providing relief to communities affected by severe flooding caused by torrential rains and the Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos (DANA) during August and September 2024. This initiative, set to be formalized in the official government bulletin this Friday, addresses a variety of damages, from total destruction of homes to impairments in public and private infrastructure.
Emergency Measures for Recovery
The regional government of Aragón is taking decisive action to support the recovery of areas devastated by summer flooding in 2024. This Friday, the regulatory bases and emergency aid applications will be published in the Boletín Oficial de Aragón, paving the way for much-needed financial assistance to the victims of DANA’s destructive impact.
The total aid package of 20 million euros is designed to alleviate damage in several sectors, including housing, infrastructure, personal property, vehicles, and agriculture. These funds will complement support already provided by the Spanish government, which has classified multiple zones as disaster-stricken.
Details of Financial Assistance
Specific aid types have been outlined to meet varied needs. Those whose homes were completely destroyed can receive up to 60,480 euros, while those with structural damage to their homes may be eligible for up to 41,280 euros. Minor damages or communal area issues within residential buildings can receive up to 20,460 euros, and households in need of essential household item replacements may see up to 10,320 euros allocated for this purpose.
Support extends to mobility, where vehicle owners sustaining damages can apply for aid up to 36,896 euros. Additionally, the regional government will cover 50% of infrastructure repair costs, mirroring the Spanish government’s contributions following the disaster declaration.
The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector also benefits from this aid plan. A credit line of approximately 1.88 million euros has been established for subsidized loans through the Sociedad para el Desarrollo Industrial de Aragón (Sodiar), designed to help local businesses return to operating conditions.
In the tourism sector, provisions include allocations of up to 100,000 euros for accommodations and 300,000 euros for tourism complexes, conditional upon proper registration and current insurance. Agricultural and livestock sectors are not overlooked; funds will support the repair of irrigation systems, replanting efforts, and compensation for losses based on average yields from the past three years.
The Widespread Impact of DANA
The DANA has profoundly affected numerous municipalities in Aragón, with the list of impacted areas expanding from 42 to 51, including four protected natural spaces. The breadth of this disaster highlights the vulnerability of communities that depend heavily on their infrastructure and resources.
Infrastructure damages are estimated to exceed 5 million euros, with repair requests currently standing at 3,980,620.73 euros for the affected road network. Restoring these roads is critical for reestablishing normalcy in the impacted regions.
Community Solidarity and Government Support
During this crisis, a notable sense of solidarity has emerged. The Government of Aragón has committed to reimbursing logistics costs for volunteers who provided assistance during the emergency, expending 1.1 million euros to cover fuel, lodging, and meals for these individuals. This effort underscores the community’s resilience in facing adversity together.
Mar Vaquero, the Vice President of the Aragón Government, has pledged to allocate all necessary resources to address the damages caused by the storms. She has expressed her hope that some areas of Aragón will receive additional direct aid from the national government, similar to recent measures implemented in Valencia, which could provide further support for recovery.
The launch of this aid program signifies a crucial step toward recovery in Aragón following the destruction brought by DANA in 2024. As the damage assessment process unfolds and resources begin to flow, the Aragón government remains dedicated to supporting those affected and tackling the challenges of reconstruction. With these assistance initiatives taking shape, there is optimism that communities will recover and emerge stronger, enabling the region to face future climatic challenges with greater resilience.
