This Is the Ridiculous Amount of Aid Sánchez Has Made Effective After the Dana

Four months after the devastating storm that hit the province of Valencia on October 29, those affected are still waiting for clear and quick responses to rebuild their lives.

The tragedy, which left 227 dead, has highlighted the tensions between the central and regional administrations over the management of aid.

The government of Pedro Sánchez had promised a total aid of 16.6 billion euros after the catastrophe. But the latest data from Moncloa show that only 7.88% of that amount has been paid.

In total, the central government has disbursed up to March 1 the amount of 3.304 billion euros, of which 2.158 billion correspond to the Insurance Compensation Consortium.

This body doesn't depend directly on the state budget, which, according to the Generalitat, should be subtracted from the total aid figure.

Meanwhile, the Consell of Carlos Mazón argues that the actual percentage of direct aid for those affected by the storm doesn't even reach eight percent.

The Generalitat argues that the consortium's compensations should not be counted as central government aid since this body manages them independently.

Inequality in the Management and Distribution of Aid

The regional government, meanwhile, claims that it has made much more progress in distributing aid to those affected.

According to the Generalitat's data, 46% of the regional aid has already been paid after resolving 75% of the applications.

This aid is divided into different lines: for municipalities, self-employed with and without employees, housing rental, and essential goods.

The Consell highlights that despite the budgetary difference between the administrations, the Generalitat has demonstrated more agile and effective management.

However, they also complain that they still haven't received the non-repayable aid requested from the central government for the reconstruction of the affected regions.

Money they consider vital for the repair of public infrastructure, such as schools, health centers, and residences.

Criticism of the Central Government's Aid Management

One of the most controversial points between the administrations is the distribution of aid for vehicle purchases.

The Valencian government criticizes that Sánchez's government only grants this aid to those who buy a new car. Additionally, it is conditional on it being an electric vehicle, including the payment of VAT.

In contrast, the Generalitat doesn't impose conditions on the purchase of a new car and grants as many aids as vehicles each affected person had.

This difference has created a significant mismatch in aid applications for this concept. The central government has received 19,807 requests, of which only about 2,465 have been granted. Meanwhile, the Generalitat has received more than 86,000 applications and has already paid 71,044 aids.

Crisis in Essential Needs Aid

The Valencian government has also criticized the state's slowness in delivering essential needs aid. Despite four months having passed since the tragedy, only 2,871 aids have been granted for this concept by the central government.

In contrast, the Generalitat has granted more than 22,000, allocating 135 million euros for this purpose. For the Valencian administration, this difference is unacceptable given the delay in aid to cover the most urgent needs of those affected.

Despite the Consell's efforts, criticism of the state management persists, especially due to the slowness in aid delivery and the exclusion of some key municipalities.