(Sixth Power) – Faenza – 15 June 2024 – A day to say “thank you”. Thanks to all those who, in various capacities, with or without uniform, rushed in those terrible days of May a year ago, to rescue and help the citizens of the areas affected by the flood. A day to reiterate commitments for the legitimate aid still needed. But above all to remember the 17 victims, the only irreparable losses.
“A day to say thank you. Flood, one year later”: this is the title of the great event organized by the Emilia-Romagna Region together with the Regional Agency for Territorial Security and Civil Protection, underway at the PalaCattani in Faenza (Ra) with over 2000 guests: Civil Protection, institutions, state forces, world of volunteering.
For everyone present a canvas bag with the book “What matters”created by the Communication and Information Agency of the Regional Council and the shots of the photographer from Cesena Marco Onofrias well as a souvenir pin from the Civil Protection.
As the participants entered, introductory greetings followed Castrese De Rosaprefect of Ravenna, e Massimo Isola, mayor of Faenza; Then Michele de Pascalepresident of the Province of Ravenna, representing Upi Emilia Romagna; Enzo Lattucamayor of Cesena, representing Anci Emilia Romagna; In the end, Marco Monesirepresenting the metropolitan city of Bologna.
Then there was room for speeches: they took turns on stage Sisto Russo (National Department of Civil Protection); Rita Nicolinidirector of the regional agency for territorial security and civil protection; Gian Marco DesogusErcc Liaison Officers of the European Commission; Sergio Zanibonipresident of the Regional Civil Protection Volunteer Coordination Committee, e Dario Pasinipresident of the National Civil Protection Committee.
He coordinated Marco Bilancioni (Il Resto del Carlino – Forlì).
At the end of the event, the speeches of Luigi D’Angelo (National Department of Civil Protection), Irene Priolovice-president of the Emilia-Romagna Region with responsibility for Civil Protection, Stefano Bonaccini, president of the Emilia-Romagna Region. He coordinated Agnese Pinidirector of QN – il Resto del Carlino La Nazione Il Giorno.
In today’s meeting we also talked about contributions and donations. Over 52 million euros donated. This is how much “Help for Emilia-Romagna” amounts to, the fundraiser started immediately by the Region, to which many people responded generously, together with associations, businesses, artisans, companies, trade unions, economic and professional categories, orders and confessions religious, large industrial groups, companies and representatives of all sectors, from culture to sport.
the use of the funds raised is reported euro by euro on the website: https://www.regione.emiliaromagna.it/alluvione/rendiconto-donazioni
Of the total amount donated, 5 million were assigned to municipalities for families and people in difficulty; 5.1 million to businesses; almost 10 million to citizens and families also to reimburse the costs for the construction of protection systems such as bulkheads and barriers and 5.4 million euros to restore infrastructures for young people, sport and cultural spaces.
The remaining portion of 27 million is intended for contributions for those who have had their vehicle – car, motorcycle, moped – destroyed, or even just damaged, by the flood.
“Today, one year later, it is the time for thanks but also for the commemoration of the victims and the renewal of commitments – they commented Bonaccini and Priolo-. An immense ‘thank you’ to all those who worked tirelessly alongside the communities injured during the emergency, and not only that: many continue to do so today to strengthen local security and carry out reconstruction interventions”.
“For our part,” continued the president and vice president Bonaccini and Priolo – we will never forget what happened: we have taken stock and, as we have already had the opportunity to say, we reiterate that we will not back down until the last reimbursement. This, however, is intended to be a day to say above all, forcefully, thank you, because everyone’s presence and help were fundamental in getting up and starting again”.
