Portugal has been authorized by the European Commission to access €500 million from cohesion funds to address the damage caused by recent fires in the central and northern regions of the country. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro made the announcement, stating that the funds will be used to cover the extensive damage to homes, crops, and industrial facilities. The government aims to ensure that the reconstruction effort is quick and without unnecessary red tape.
Local officials in the affected regions are currently evaluating the damage caused by the fires, with the assessment expected to be completed by the end of the week. Additionally, an investigation is underway to identify those responsible for deliberately setting fires in certain areas. Prime Minister Montenegro emphasized the importance of understanding the motivations behind these actions and ensuring that any perpetrators are brought to justice.
The fires that occurred last week resulted in nine deaths, over 160 injuries, and the destruction of around 135,000 hectares of forest. The Portuguese police received approximately 9,000 calls related to the fires daily between September 15 and 19. This year’s fires have already affected nearly 147,000 hectares of land, making it the third worst record in the last decade. The government is committed to providing support and resources to those affected by the fires to aid in the recovery and rebuilding process.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com
