It is still too early to quantify the financial impact of the recent floods that hit central Italy, although the damage is clearly visible everywhere.
This Tuesday, the Italian government adopted aid of 2 billion euros to help businesses and families affected by the disaster.
In this region, nicknamed the “fruit valley”, thousands of hectares of plantations were damaged. The production of fruits and vegetables is strongly affected.
Danielo Verlicchidirector of Ravenna Confagricultureexplain : “if financial support is not sent immediately, businesses will not be able to reopen. We do not want to repeat what happened in other regions where, a year after the disaster, businesses are still waiting for the arrival funds.”
The water submerged the entire area. I’Emilia-Romagna is one of the richest regions ofItaly and these floods have raised questions about the use of funds allocated to combat hydrological instability. Most of them have never been used.
In the affected towns, life is slowly returning to normal. Although the heavy rains have stopped for a few days, the water level is still high. This town of 2,000 inhabitants near Ravenna was completely evacuated.
Firefighters transport residents daily. Some are returning home for the first time since the bad weather.
“It’s the first time I’ve been able to enter my home since last Thursday. I wanted to take what I could with me. We have to stay positive. We were able to save our lives! That’s the most important thing” explains a resident.
Many here hope the worst is now behind them. But the future worries them just as much.
“I lost everything. I’ve lived here for 20 years and I still have to finish paying the mortgage. Who’s going to pay for this? I don’t know…” despairs a local resident.
Residents and entrepreneurs say they are satisfied with the government’s response. Now they are eagerly awaiting the promised help.
2023-05-23 20:54:56
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