Brussels – On Wednesday, the presidents of Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, and Andalusia united in Brussels to urge the European Union to hasten aid for the reconstruction of areas in Spain affected by the recent dana.
The leaders—Valencian President Carlos Mazón, Castilla-La Mancha’s Emiliano García-Page, Catalonia’s Salvador Illa, and Andalusia’s Juanma Moreno Bonilla—made their appeal during a special session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), which began with a moment of silence for the flood victims, totaling over two hundred fatalities.
Both Mazón and Moreno, representing the Popular Party, along with socialists Illa and García-Page, expressed gratitude for the substantial flow of European solidarity received and called for emergency funding during a plenary held in the European Parliament. They called attention to the urgent need for financial support to address the extensive damages and emphasized the importance of a stronger focus on climate change adaptation.
The catastrophic floods that struck Spain in late October resulted in the deaths of 227 individuals, with eight still unaccounted for. Valencia was hit hardest, suffering 219 casualties.
Solidarity and Assistance
In a virtual address from Valencia, President Mazón appealed for the “solidarity” of the European Union to help the region recover “as quickly as possible” from the devastation caused by the dana since October 29.
Mazón stressed the importance of Spain regaining its footing, particularly as Valencia is one of the Mediterranean’s most promising regions. “We need all the actions possible and all the resources that can be mobilized,” he stated.
Similarly, García-Page called for expedited aid mechanisms from the European Union during the plenary. He noted, “We are here to demand that help and to request adjustments in the EU’s reflections on fund flexibility, particularly concerning cohesion, New Generation, and regional funds, which should also allow for quicker implementation in emergencies.”
He elaborated on the existence of a European competition fund that should be activated, but suggested that alternative mechanisms could also be explored.
Resilience to Climate Change
Meanwhile, Illa, the president of Catalonia, urged for enhanced cooperation mechanisms among local, regional, state, and European administrations while advocating for the role of “strong public services” in efficiently managing emergencies.
Reflecting on the “tragic episodes” caused by the dana, Illa remarked that addressing climate change is not just an option, but a responsibility, highlighting the daily repercussions of denialist discourses.
In support of these sentiments, Moreno Bonilla pushed for a European Union that bolsters the action and financial capabilities of regions to combat the climate crisis and enhance resilience. He stated that it is essential to maintain and strengthen regional capabilities and financial resources to better equip them in responding to societal and environmental risks stemming from climate change.
The discussion noted that Spain is not alone in facing climate-induced disasters, as Europe has also been repeatedly impacted by severe floods and wildfires. Vasco Alves Cordeiro, president of the CoR, drew attention to the need for a robust response to the climate crisis, which has manifested through the recent events in Spain.
“The worst natural disaster in a century for Spain serves as a harrowing reminder of the challenges posed by the climate crisis to us all,” Alves Cordeiro said. He stressed the critical role of cohesion policy funds in enhancing resilience and implementing adaptation measures at the local level.
In response, the CoR is set to adopt an urgent resolution to request that the European Commission swiftly proposes “genuine additional resources” for the affected regions and allocates more funds to amplify readiness and resilience in the next EU multiannual budget.
The special session of this institution, which represents regional and local entities within the EU, concluded with a live rendition of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” performed by the European Union Youth Orchestra. (November 20)
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