Spain’s government has unveiled a substantial €10bn aid package to address the catastrophic flooding that has claimed 217 lives in the country’s southeastern regions, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasising that “climate change kills”.
The comprehensive relief initiative, announced on Tuesday in Madrid, includes individual grants of up to €72,000 for those unable to work due to flood-related injuries, whilst households can receive between €20,000 and €60,000 for home repairs. Additional support of €10,000 has been allocated for replacing domestic appliances and furniture.
The business sector will benefit from €838 million in direct aid, with individual enterprises eligible for grants reaching €150,000. The package also incorporates €5bn in state-backed loan guarantees available to companies, self-employed individuals, and families affected by the disaster.
During the announcement, Sánchez faced criticism over the government’s response, having been pelted with mud by survivors during his visit to Valencia on Sunday. Despite mounting pressure, he maintained that control of relief efforts would remain with regional authorities, stating that “substituting for the regional administration would reduce efficiency”.
The aid distribution will mirror mechanisms previously employed during the Covid-19 pandemic, targeting 78 municipalities across Valencia, Castile-La Mancha, and Andalusia. The central government has committed to covering all emergency expenses incurred by local authorities and half the costs of infrastructure reconstruction.
Scientists have linked the intensity of these Mediterranean rain storms to rising sea temperatures, highlighting the growing impact of climate change in the region. Sánchez used the platform to criticise climate change deniers, particularly addressing a recent lawsuit filed against Spain’s state weather agency by far-right group Manos Limpias.
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