The number of members of the Armed Forces deployed in the areas of the Valencian Community damaged by DANA will reach 7,500 this Monday, as announced by the Minister of Defense, Marguerite Robleswhich also guaranteed that there would be soldiers in all towns affected by the disaster. “It’s true that we can’t go everywhere but the commitment is unequivocal, we will be there, we will help people with professionalism, with machines, with empathy.”
After days of criticism for the lack of speed of the government’s response and citizens wondering where the help they need is, the Defense Department has accelerated the deployment of military personnel on the ground. Early this Monday, the amphibious ship Galicia arrived in Valencia with 104 Marines from the Tercio de Armada, trucks carrying food, water, support equipment and two SH-60F helicopters. The total number of members of the Armed Forces and the Military Emergency Unit (UME) deployed on the ground will reach 7,500.
In an interview with RNE, Robles defended the work of the armed forces in the face of the disaster and affirmed that the military worked “without rest”. The minister acknowledged that it is not possible to reach all the affected places from the start and that actions must be “prioritized”, but she assured that the Armed Forces would maintain their deployment “as long as necessary”.
Robles had to respond live to criticism from citizens after the mayor of Aldaia, Guillermo Luján, transmitted to him on the airwaves the discontent of his neighbors, who these days were wondering why there were no soldiers in the city streets to help them in cleaning and rescue tasks.
“The army takes care of the priorities set on the ground,” replied the minister. “We are, we will be, it’s true that we can’t get everything, nor our respect and our understanding with the anger of people and those who are going through a bad time.”
Robles avoided any controversy – “We are not going to look at the past, we will look at the past” – and rejected the acts of violence that took place yesterday during the visit of the Kings with President Pedro Sánchez to the affected areas. “There are no words of consolation for those who have lost everything. We must listen, accept their anger and their indignation. But violence is not acceptable, especially when it has other political connotations.
