The Portuguese Prime Minister reiterated his deepest regret and heartfelt condolences to the families of the direct and indirect victims of the extreme weather event that hit the country, showing his solidarity with the thousands of Portuguese people affected.

Cautioning that "in the next few hours we will continue to face situations of great difficulty", Luís Montenegro made a clear call to the population: "follow the recommendations issued by the authorities – do not underestimate the risks".

Government allocates resources to respond to the emergency

The Council of Ministers approved a series of measures to speed up the recovery process in the areas hit by the successive storms and decided to extend the disaster state until 15 February.

The Government also approved and temporary and exceptional scheme to streamline processes and decisions on urgent repair and reconstruction works in the most affected regions, eliminating the need for prior administrative control.

"The State has never responded this swiftly (…) we are pulling all the stops to decide quickly and meet needs", the Prime Minister stated.

Greater proximity and support to the populations

The Head of Government stressed the need to boost simplicity, proximity, and physical support to the citizens affected, namely in preparing requests for the available assistance, which can be done online.

Starting on 6 February, 275 Citizen Bureaux and Spaces will be operating in the 68 councils covered by the disaster state status. On the same day, the first mobile Citizen Bureaux and internet access units will begin operating, ensuring support is provided in the more remote areas.

2.5 billion euro package on the ground

Of the overall 2.5 billion package announced on 1 February, the assistance for housing reconstruction is already being paid, while the assistance on family income will begin payment by 9 February.

The Prime Minister also announced that the Employment and Vocational Training Institute (IEFP) will join the task force set up to coordinate the assistant and reconstruction actions, by collecting manpower from the construction companies and local municipalities.

The IEFP will use its network to recruit workers in Portugal and will operate as a channel for regulator labour migration, allowing manpower to be quickly allocated to the areas most hit.

Luís Montenegro also expressed the Government’s availability to suspend some public works under its responsibility if the companies and workers can be deployed to support recovery in the locations affected.

Call on responsibility and safety

The Prime Minister reiterated the Government’s "deep regret and heartfelt condolences" to the families of the victims and expressed "a word of hope and comfort to the thousands of Portuguese people who were struck and are still being struck by this natural disaster".

Given a scenario of unprecedented rainfall and a high risk of flooding, he reinforced "a very, very decisive request that in these hours, which are detrimental, everyone follows the authorities’ recommendations".

In addition to extending the disaster state status, the Government declare a contingency state in the areas with the greatest risk of flooding, guaranteeing that all the civil protection, firefighters, military, healthcare services social security, psychological support, forest firefighters, and local municipalities will continue to be mobilised.

"Only together, with the input (…) of all these bodies, as well as many people and volunteers, will we be able to face an adversity as the one we have ahead of us", he declared.

Exceptional measures to speed up reconstruction

Among the measures approved, we note the following:

Public procurement

• Direct contracts exceptionally simplified
• Exceptional scheme to authorise expenditure up to 20 million euros
• Higher sums tacitly authorised after 10 days
• Undertakings in five working days in the event of hazard for people and goods
• Administrative processes simplified

Urban planning

• Urban permits waived, including occupying public spaces
• Permits for immediate construction waived

The Environment

• Environmental Impact Study waived to rebuild infrastructure in identical conditions

Forests

• The Institute for Nature and Forests Conservation can intervene in private properties if the owner hasn’t cleared it

Interventions n the public domain

• Possibility of carrying out urgent interventions

Expropriations

• Administrative dispossession authorised immediately in the event of extreme urgency

Cultural heritage

• Permits to undergo reconstruction works in classified assets and respective protection areas waived

Removal of waste and damaged structures

• Temporary suspension of prior authorisation for demolitions

Timeframes for public works

• Suspension of the timeframes for works whose resources are allocated to reconstruction

Certificates and registrations

• Fees for certificates associated with requests for assistance waived
• Issue of a copy of a registration certificate waived

Justice

• Suspension of legal deadlines, expect for urgent proceedings

Tolls waived

• A8: between Valado de Frades and Leiria Nascente
• A17: between the A8 entry and Mira
• A14: between Santa Eulália and Ançã
• A19: between Azóia and São Jorge

More information on the assistance and the application procedures can be found on the Regional Coordination and Development Commissions’ websites: Centre and CCDR Lisbon and Tagus Valley, which contain all the guidelines for citizens companies, and farmers struck.