The Spanish government has unveiled a €10.6 billion ($11.5 billion) aid package to support victims of the devastating flash floods that recently struck the eastern coast of the country, particularly around Valencia. The disaster, which has been described as the deadliest in modern Spanish history, has claimed at least 217 lives, with hundreds still missing and significant destruction of property.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the relief measures during a press conference in Madrid on Tuesday, comparing the package to emergency measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is a good first step, an agile and ambitious step with concrete and realistic measures that are already in force and that will help people and businesses in the coming days and weeks,” Sánchez stated. He also confirmed that Spain has formally applied for aid from the European Union’s solidarity fund to bolster recovery efforts.
The aid package includes €838 million in direct cash handouts aimed at supporting small businesses and freelance workers who have been particularly impacted. Additionally, €5 billion will be made available in state-guaranteed loans. The national government will also cover the full cost of cleanup operations conducted by local councils and contribute 50 percent of the costs to repair infrastructure damaged by the floods.
Public Frustration With Government’s Response
Despite the scale of the response, public frustration has surged due to what many perceive as an initially slow and inadequate government reaction. This anger culminated in a dramatic scene on Sunday when crowds in Paiporta, a suburb of Valencia, threw mud at King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Prime Minister Sánchez, and regional leaders during their visit. The crowd chanted accusations of negligence, shouting “Murderers, Murderers!” as tensions boiled over.
Matilde Gregori, a 57-year-old resident of Sedavi whose business was severely impacted, expressed her dismay. “Only the people are helping … And the politicians, where are they? Why didn’t they raise the alarm? Murderers!” she told AFP, adding that she believes local communities have been left to fend for themselves.
Spain’s Deadliest Floods
The floods, triggered by an unusual weather system where cold and warm air masses collide, unleashed unprecedented rainfall and widespread destruction. Scientists suggest that such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
The torrent has rendered significant portions of Valencia, Castile La Mancha, and Andalusia nearly inaccessible, with large areas submerged in mud and debris. So far, only 111 of the deceased have been identified, with at least 89 people still reported missing according to the Superior Court of Justice of the Region of Valencia.
Rescue Operations Underway
Sánchez emphasized the government’s response efforts, which have involved the deployment of approximately 15,000 police and military personnel to assist with clearing operations, supported by hundreds of forensic scientists, customs agents, and forestry officials. Heavy machinery has also been utilized to remove debris and reopen roads.
Rescue operations continue as authorities struggle to access some of the most heavily affected areas. The scale of the destruction has drawn comparisons to past natural disasters. Thierry Velu, president of the French disaster relief organization Groupe de Secours Catastrophe, who sent aid to Spain, likened the devastation to the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. “I was there,” Velu said, “and I remember the millions of cubic meters of water, rubble, and mud that invaded everything.”
Despite the government’s extensive response and ongoing rescue operations, the challenge remains daunting. “We have to keep working,” Sánchez asserted, acknowledging that there are still many residents suffering severe hardships.
