Agriculture is the most affected sector. Around 10 million fruit trees in Italy’s so-called “fruit valley” have been damaged and vegetable production has also been badly affected.
“Unless financial support comes immediately, businesses cannot reopen. We do not want to repeat what has happened in other parts of Italy in the past, where businesses are still waiting for money after a year.
Danilo Verlicci, Director of the Confagricoltura Ravenna
The whole area is flooded. Emilia Romagna is one of the richest regions in Italy, and the consequences of the floods raise the question of why the funds devoted to preventive water management infrastructure have not been adequately used.
In the hard-hit cities, life is slowly returning to normal. Although the rains have stopped for a few days, the water level is still high. This town of 2000 inhabitants near Ravenna was completely evacuated.
Firefighters bring residents in and out of town every day. Some come back to their homes for the first time – to get what left them water.
“It’s the first time I’ve entered my house since last Thursday. I wanted to take what I could with me. We have to think positively, we managed to save our lives! That’s the most important thing.”
Many here believe that the worst is over, but they are still worried about the future.
“I lost everything. I’ve lived here for 20 years and I’m still paying the mortgage. Who’s going to pay it? I don’t know…”
Local residents and businesspeople alike say they are satisfied with the government’s response to the disaster. They only ask for one thing – that the support comes immediately.
2023-05-24 00:07:48
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