The Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, visited Arouca, one of the areas affected by the recent fires devastating Portugal, particularly in the North.
“My job today is to address this urgency, which is to help people who have been impoverished by the fires and determine the level of support the State can and should provide to these people, particularly the farmers,” he stated to journalists in Arouca, in the Aveiro district.
The minister mentioned that a “very agile mechanism of small supports for farmers” was already “arranged,” with the amount still to be fixed. “Amounts less than ten thousand euros will receive quick support,” he assured.
“Next week, the Government will assess the situation and define the terms of support. I am not here with a checkbook in hand. What we will do is very quickly define the terms of support. This will be done by next week,” the minister promised.
“We are not going to ask for paperwork. It is based on testimonial evidence, observing on-site with someone from the Municipal Council or the Coordination and Regional Development Commission (CCDR), the value is determined, and we pay immediately,” the minister stated.
Confronted about most of the 2024 fire support funds not yet being disbursed, the minister claimed this information was “totally incorrect.”
“The vast majority have been paid. About 95% of the farmers who claimed losses last year have been paid. The small number of farmers still unpaid is not due to a lack of willingness from the State’s side. It is because of procedures on the people’s side,” he explained, citing “bureaucracies” that may complicate matters, such as incorrect taxpayer numbers.
The minister declined to specify the total amount of support to be provided, stating that he would “see the extent and nature of the damages” in the coming hours.
“There will be particular attention to people whose homes are affected and who cannot sleep in their houses. That will be our priority,” he added.
[Updated at 3:37 PM]
