CEV demands urgent EU support to recover Valencia after the devastation caused by the DANA.

A delegation from the Business Confederation of the Valencian Community (CEV) has taken an urgent message to Brussels regarding the economic and social devastation caused by the DANA (a weather phenomenon) on October 29. This meteorological event has left a trail of destruction that regional business leaders consider unacceptable without significant support from the European Union. Led by CEV President Salvador Navarro and the President of CEV Valencia, Eva Blasco, the representatives have presented the scale of the damages and the need for a swift and decisive response to the European authorities. The data presented is alarming. It is estimated that direct damages to the productive sector amount to 13.705 billion euros, an impact that represents 20% of the GDP of the affected province. The figure of losses is alarming and highlights the fragility of the local economy, which was already struggling with underfunding issues before the crisis. Furthermore, the reconstruction of public infrastructure is expected to require more than 31.4 billion euros, an amount that not only matches the annual budget of the Generalitat but also equals 22.5% of the GDP of the Valencian Community. This situation has led the CEV to request the mobilization of European resources to address the emergency. In his speech, Navarro emphasized that local and national response capacity has been overwhelmed by the magnitude of the tragedy. The Generalitat has committed 540 million euros, but only one-third of this amount will be allocated to direct aid. Meanwhile, the central government has announced a considerable figure of 16.639 billion euros, although only 9% of this amount translates into direct aid. The CEV believes that these initiatives are insufficient to meet the community's needs. Aware that the situation demands a more robust response, the CEV has called for the activation of the European Union Solidarity Fund, as well as the reprogramming of European resources through the Restore regulation. The latter could release between 3 billion and 5 billion euros in additional funds for the recovery of the affected areas. Valencian authorities believe it is crucial to mobilize all possible resources to strengthen the response to this unprecedented crisis. Additionally, there has been a request to prioritize the addendum that the government is preparing within the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan. This addendum would include a specific section for Valencia, aimed at ensuring that the reconstruction not only repairs what has been damaged but also improves the resilience of infrastructures against future climate disasters. The CEV has highlighted that these objectives are consistent with the priorities that Europe has established for sustainable development and social inclusion. The call for solidarity and responsibility from the European Union is a central point in the CEV's message. Navarro emphasized that the EU has the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and social cohesion through concrete actions. The approval of the addendum that would allocate 1.5 billion euros in European funds for reconstruction is seen as a crucial step in this process. During their meetings in Brussels, the Valencian delegation had the opportunity to engage in dialogue with key figures such as Nicola De Michelis from DG REGIO and Kerstin Jorna from DG GROW, as well as with members of the cabinets of the European Commission's Executive Vice President for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto, and the Commissioner for Economy, Valdis Dombrovskis. These conversations have been essential in conveying the urgency of the situation and seeking decisive support from European institutions. The CEV is not only seeking financial support but also a change in how resources are managed and distributed in crisis situations. According to its leaders, reconstruction is not just about restoring what has been lost but about building a more sustainable and resilient future in the face of adverse climate events. The agenda of meetings in Brussels reaffirms the commitment of the business community to work in collaboration with European institutions to achieve these goals. At a time when the response to the climate crisis is more important than ever, the CEV hopes that the requested initiatives will be addressed with the urgency they require. The reconstruction of the Valencian Community after the DANA is not just a local challenge but a test of the European Union's capacity to respond to crises affecting its most vulnerable regions. The story of Valencia's recovery could serve as an example of how European solidarity can make a difference in the lives of thousands of citizens.