Spanish premier announces 3rd aid package worth nearly $2.4B due to storm Dana

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The Spanish prime minister announced Wednesday a third aid package of €2,274 billion (nearly $2.4 billion) for reconstructing the areas affected by the storm Dana.

During his appearance in Congress, Pedro Sanchez said: "The government will approve a third aid package with 60 measures designed to accelerate the return to normalcy and the recovery of areas affected by this tragedy."

The third aid package followed those approved on Nov. 5 and 11, bringing the total state aid allocated for Dana victims to over €16.6 billion.

It includes additional aid, credit instruments, and other measures for “accelerating the return to normality and recovery” the prime minister said.

Sanchez also defended his management of the weather-caused disaster amid criticism from the main opposition Popular Party (PP) and has affirmed that the government "did its job from the beginning."

"The Government fulfilled its duty and will continue to do so," he said.

He added that his government is open to establishing a commission of inquiry.

Meanwhile, the PP leader, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, criticized Sanchez for showing "zero self-criticism" regarding the storm Dana and accused him of lack of action.

"They knew what was going to happen and did nothing," Feijoo said, reproaching Sanchez for not declaring a national emergency.

Dana, which struck the country on Oct. 29, especially the Valencia region, claimed the lives of over 220 people.