The president assures that the Executive will provide all the necessary means to combat the consequences of the DANA

La Eliana (Valencia)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, at the Integrated Operational Coordination Centre of the Valencian Community (Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo)

The head of the Executive has made the search for the missing people the Government's top priority. "We will not leave the Valencians alone. We are going to be there for as long as it takes and with all the resources and means possible," said Sánchez, who was accompanied by the Minister for Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant; the President of the Valencian Government, Carlos Mazón; and the Government Delegate in the Comunitat Valenciana, Pilar Bernabé.

Pedro Sánchez has also announced that next Tuesday's Council of Ministers will approve the declaration of a zone highly affected by a natural phenomenon in all the areas affected by the DANA, with the aim of channelling state aid aimed at rebuilding the affected areas and restoring normality as soon as possible.

The president has conveyed to the citizens the "absolute collaboration and cooperation of the Government to provide the peace of mind, security and answers that their administrations require at this difficult time." Sánchez also sent a message of thanks to all the public servants working in the emergency response deployed by the DANA. "The public sector must be valued," he stressed.

The head of the Executive has reiterated the Government's solidarity with all the victims of the tragedy and has appraised the commitment of the European Union, which will also mobilise resources in response to the catastrophe. Sánchez also called on the public to be cautious and to follow the alerts issued by the emergency services. "The DANA continues; please heed the recommendations," he warned.

Crisis committee and emergency arrangements

Pedro Sánchez, who this Thursday will chair a new meeting of the Crisis Committee, which is coordinating the central Government's response to the consequences of the DANA, has focused on the "enormous amount of resources and troops" mobilised by the Executive.

Since Tuesday, the Government has had 1,116 agents from the Military Emergency Unit deployed in the affected areas, in addition to 200 troops from the army, 1,800 from the Policia Nacional and 750 from the Guardia Civil, as well as 334 vehicles, planes and helicopters.

Non official translation