The funding to deal with the consequences of Cyclone Harry is moving on a dual track.
In the resolution declaring a 12-month state of emergency, the Region allocated 5.5 million for the most urgent interventions , "the safety of the territory and the initial restoration of infrastructure and essential services."
And good news also came from Rome yesterday, when Giorgia Meloni announced during a meeting with the presidents of the affected regions, Minister Musumeci, and the head of the Civil Protection Agency that a Council of Ministers will be held on Monday to declare a national emergency and advance "an initial allocation to meet immediate needs and guarantee initial relief, pending a complete and comprehensive assessment of the damage."
The Prime Minister "renewed her own solidarity and that of the entire Government with the communities affected" and "thanked the Civil Protection Department, Regions, Municipalities, Prefectures, and local authorities for their forecasting and warning efforts which, despite the violence of the rainfall and storm surges, prevented casualties."
Todde, for his part, thanked the government for its swift action and reassured the Sardinians: "We are working to ensure compensation for citizens and the entire productive sector as soon as possible." Thursday's resolution also formalized the request for a national state of emergency, "a necessary step for the activation of further extraordinary tools and additional resources."
"The idea," Budget Councilor Giuseppe Meloni said, "is to provide additional funding if necessary. First, we need to see what initiatives the government will implement and whether European funds will be available."
The amount that the government will make available for the three affected regions, Sicily and Calabria as well as Sardinia, has not yet been quantified: according to some rumours, it could amount to one billion .
As for timing, according to Councillor Meloni for Public Works, the funds could be spent within three weeks or a month, while compensation for private individuals could take several months .
Meanwhile, the damage count continues in individual municipalities. In addition to damage to public works and infrastructure, damage to private individuals must also be quantified. And for beach operators whose establishments were devastated by the storm surges, the countdown has already begun. The goal is to be ready to welcome the first tourists by Easter , which this year falls on April 5th. It won't be easy.
(Unioneonline)