Emilia Romagna is one of Italy’s richest regions and the effects of the floods have raised questions about why funds earmarked to counter hydrological instability have not been used.
While it may be too early to put a figure on the economic impact of the recent floods that have swept across central Italy – the damage is clear to see.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government adopted a €2 billion aid package on Tuesday to help businesses and families affected by this latest extreme weather event.
The agricultural sector has been hit the hardest. Around 10 million plants in Italy’s so-called “fruit valley” have been damaged and vegetable production has been hit hard.
“If financial support is not sent immediately, businesses will not be able to reopen,” explained Danilo Verlicchi, director of Confagricoltura Ravenna.
“We don’t want to repeat what happened in other parts of Italy in the past where after a year companies are still waiting for money to come in.”
Emilia Romagna is one of Italy’s richest regions and the effects of the floods have raised questions about why funds earmarked to counter hydrological instability have never been used.
In hard-hit cities, life is slowly returning to normal.
Although the heavy rains have stopped in recent days, the water level is still high. A town of 2,000 inhabitants near the northern city of Ravenna was completely evacuated.
Firefighters carry local residents in and out of town daily. For some, it is the first time they have been able to return to their homes to collect what they left behind.
“It’s the first time I’ve been able to enter my house since Thursday,” said one resident. “I wanted to take what I could with me. we have to be positive. We have been able to save our lives! That is the most important thing.”
Many here believe the worst is over, although they are still worried about the future.
“I lost everything. I’ve lived here for 20 years and I still have to pay off the mortgage,” explained one resident. “Who’s going to pay for it? I don’t know.”
Both local residents and business owners told us they are satisfied with the government’s response to the emergency. All they want is support without delay.
[pub1]