The President of the European Council today expressed the European Union’s “full solidarity” with Portugal following damage caused by a recent series of storms.
“The EU expresses its full solidarity with the people of Portugal, following the extreme and devastating weather phenomena that recently struck the country,” António Costa wrote in a message published on social media.
“Today, European Council members conveyed their solidarity and most sincere condolences to Luís Montenegro and reaffirmed their support at this difficult time,” he added.
At least 19 people have died in Portugal since January 28 following the passage of storms Kristin, Leonardo and Marta, which also left several hundred injured, displaced and evacuated. More than half of the deaths occurred during recovery work.
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The storms, which struck mainland Portugal over approximately three weeks, caused total or partial destruction of thousands of homes, businesses and facilities, falling trees and structures, power, water and communications outages, and flooding — with damage running into billions of euros. The Centre, Lisbon and Vale do Tejo, and Alentejo regions were the most affected.
Prime minister Luís Montenegro announced on February 12 the creation of an exclusively Portuguese recovery plan, dubbed the PTRR, to allow the country to recover economically from the consequences of the severe weather that struck mainland Portugal between late January and February, and to address the most critical infrastructure.
Total colaboração neste período de transição. Recebi hoje o Primeiro-Ministro indigitado, @LMontenegroPSD, a quem desejo as maiores felicidades pessoais e políticas para bem de #Portugal e dos portugueses. pic.twitter.com/ndPMATq2Ac
— António Costa (@antoniocostapm) March 27, 2024
