The Council of the Government of the Azores, held in Ponta Delgada, has assessed the situation concerning the damages caused by the bad weather conditions that hit the archipelago last week, making a provisional estimate of 15 million Euros in damages.

The amount was revealed today by the Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs at the presentation of the press release from the Council of the Government.

According to Isabel Rodrigues, "it is important to clarify that there are situations, namely in the ports of Ponta Delgada, Vila Franca do Campo and Porto de Pipas, that further require a thorough assessment with regard to certain damages; this will only be possible when the weather conditions improve."

Over the past week, the various government departments have carried out cleaning works, removal of debris, clearing of roads and water lines. Moreover, they have proceeded to assess the damages caused by the bad weather that hit the Region, namely in dwellings, schools, cultural and sports facilities, road network, aerodromes and port infrastructures, fishing support infrastructures, coastal areas, rural roads, forest reserves and animal husbandry support infrastructures.
 
The response device involved around 800 technicians, officers and workers of the Regional Government, 440 personnel of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service and firefigthers from several corporations, and more than 250 machines and vehicles.

"In regard to the damages caused to public infrastructures, such as the case of schools, sports facilities, ports, and agricultural and forest roads," Isabel Rodrigues added that "the Government has already assessed the progress of the works, already underway, launching several procedures for the repair of these infrastructures. In some cases, the Government will launch procedures with direct adjustment while other cases require the launch of public tenders."

The Council of the Government has also approved an exceptional and transitional support scheme to be implemented in the area of housing (support to the repair of roofs, doors, windows and floors, etc.) and emergency social support (support to the replacement of appliances, clothing and furniture). Damages covered by insurance will not be eligible.

These support measures will minimise the losses incurred by the affected families and respond to the need to establish emergency social support mechanisms.

The Regional Government has adopted a Resolution determining the support of 75% of eligible costs incurred by companies as a result of the losses that are not reimbursed by insurance after evaluation by an expert entity. It will ensure the mitigation of the effects of these events on the affected companies as well as the resumption of their normal operation.
 
In the agricultural sector, the Government has adopted a Resolution that determines the support of the affected crops and the granting of financial aid to a maximum up to 75% of the damages caused to support infrastructures for agricultural activities, including greenhouses, feeding parks, milking parlours and warehouses, after verification and evaluation by the authorities.

In the fisheries sector, the Government has approved a Resolution determining the support of 75% of the costs incurred by shipowners resulting from the damages caused by the loss of fishing gear, provided that the requirements for proof of loss and damage are proven and fulfilled in accordance with the legislation in force.