Alex Trelinski
REPRESENTATIVES of Valencia flood victims met with European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyn in Brussels on Tuesday.
Three associations set up in the wake of the October 29 disaster asked for a meeting during Von Der Leyn’s recent visit to Valencia but she was unable to find time.
“It was a pleasure to meet with the associations and I thank them for sharing their stories,” she said.
READ MORE:
- Elderly people made up majority of Valencia floods death toll with many fatalities before emergency warning was issued
- Revealed: The number of emergency calls made about Valencia floods before warning was sent by regional government
“This tragedy must guide any future preparations to deal with natural disasters,” the Commission president added
“The EU stands in solidarity, supporting recovery today and resilience for tomorrow.”
Members of the Associacio de Victimes de la Dana-29 d’Octubre, the Association of DANA fatalities, and the Associacio Damnificats Dana Horta Sud Valencia travelled to Brussels.
Representatives also met with European Parliament president, Roberta Metsola and EU commissioner, Spain’s Teresa Ribera.
Metsola promised to write to Valencian president, Carlos Mazon, to call on him to meet with the associations to discuss issues they raised with her.
15 MEPs- mainly from Spain but also the Netherlands and Sweden- also held talks with the group.
Mario Gradoli- president of one of the associations- praised the response from the EU.
“There is a clear difference between the European institutions that have invited us to be heard, something which has not happened in Valencia,” he observed.
“It says a lot about the government we have,“ stated Gradoli.
Valencian vice-president and government spokesperson, Susana Camerero, said the door was always open for ‘every victim’ to meet with ministers or Carlos Mazon.
She in turn criticised the Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, for not receiving a single victim or holding a memorial service.
Camerero said: “He has not set foot in the flood area since fleeing Paiporta on November 3.”
The latest demonstration in Valencia City against Carlos Mazon will be on May 29, after the previous protest was cancelled due to the national power blackout.
Meanwhile, the European Commission continues to work on a Spanish submission for €4.4 billion from the European Solidarity Fund to help in post-flood recovery.
€100 million was transferred as a maximum interim payment before a final decision is taken.
