Sánchez will hold a state funeral for the victims of the DANA

ValenciaA secular state funeral, a plan to protect the population and minimize flood risks, and the inclusion of the families of the victims of the DANA (National Flood Damage) in the commission of inquiry organized by the Congress of Deputies. The meeting held this Thursday between the three main associations of victims of the disaster and Spanish President Pedro Sánchez resulted in three major agreements and the feeling among those affected that, unlike the Valencian government, the state government is willing to listen to them.

Those in charge of explaining how the meeting went were the same entities, who did not hesitate to describe it as "as long [it lasted almost three hours] as it was fruitful", according to Rosa Álvarez, president of the Association of Mortal Victims of Dana 29-O, who highlighted the facts. "The treatment was empathetic and educational", added Christian Lesaec, spokesperson for the Association of Victims of Dana Horta Sud - Valencia.

Delay of the meeting

The only criticism Sánchez received was that the meeting took place seven months after the catastrophe. "It's a bit late," Lesaec acknowledged. They were much harsher when referring to the head of the Consell, Carlos Mazón, and his refusal to promote a meeting with the victims' families. "We will not contact him; it should be the administration that takes the step," emphasized Álvarez, who also accused the Popular Party leader of "continuing to lie" when he stated yesterday that he always has his doors open to the victims and that he treated them "the way they wanted." So far, the Alicante politician has only met with some family members in a personal capacity and with the president of SOS Desaparecidos, Joaquín Amills, who called for his resignation.

Regarding the agreements reached between Sánchez and the associations, the only details announced are that the state funeral will be held in Valencia on the first anniversary of the disaster and that the plan to minimize flood risks will include work on the main ravines that overflowed their banks on October 29. It is also announced that the Spanish president will soon visit the worst-affected area and that compensation payments from the Insurance Consortium to affected businesses will be accelerated.

Meeting in Brussels

The three entities that participated in the meeting are the same ones that met last week in Brussels with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, as well as with three MEPs from the PP, including the Valencian Esteban González Pons, who asked them for " In fact, and as recognized by the ARA by the associations of victims, they were notified of today's meeting just over 24 hours in advance, which makes them think that the meeting "is a response" to their meeting with Von der Leyen.

Today is the fourth visit by Pedro Sánchez to the Valencian Country related to the DANA, after that of October 31, when he went to the Emergency Coordination Center of the Generalitat, that of November 3 in Paiporta and that of January 23, when he met with the areas in Valencia. Then he visited army units that helped in the repair of damage. This Thursday, in addition to meeting with victims' associations, the Spanish president also visited to learn firsthand about the situation of several companies affected by the disaster.