“Today in Faenza the PalaCattani was full (capacity 999 people) of which 60-70% were all volunteers. Over 100 mayors, the prefects of Ravenna and Forlì-Cesena, the police commissioners, the foreign delegations of volunteers who came to help us, the provincial presidents of Ravenna and Forlì-Cesena were present. It was a very intense moment and a great choral thank you to the over 14,000 volunteers who came to Romagna to help. In those days 900 people were saved by helicopters and an incredible array of volunteers helped in every way possible. The mobile columns left from all the central and northern regions and from abroad. The absence of our mayor is unforgivable.” Thus in a post on Facebook Alessandra Bucchi, President of the Forlì Mud Victims Unitary Committee.
A day to say “thank you”. Thank you to all those who, in various capacities, with or without uniform, flocked to those terrible days of May of 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 Emilia Romagna region together withRegional Agency for Territorial Security and Civil Protectionunderway at PalaCattani of Faenza 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 Cesena photographer Marco Onofri, as 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, Matteo Leporemetropolitan mayor 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 Pasini, president 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 Bonaccinipresident of the Emilia-Romagna Region.
“Todayone year later, it is the moment of thanksgiving but also of commemorating the victims and renewing commitments – they commented Bonaccini and Priolo -. A huge ‘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 – 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.”
