Regional Government activates Legal and Financial Support Scheme for Climate Emergencies following storms in Terceira and São Miguel - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, announced today that, following the storms that hit the Region on June 2 and 3, causing significant damage and losses on the islands of Terceira and São Miguel, the Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, has decided to activate the Legal and Financial Support Scheme for Climate Emergencies, "with the opening of a new procedure for the submission of applications to support affected families."

"The services of the Regional Secretariat followed the survey of the damage caused by the heavy rains that affected several parishes in the municipalities of Praia da Vitória on Terceira Island and Ribeira Grande on São Miguel Island. They remained in close contact with the mayors and parish councils and, in this context, it was verified that the necessary conditions were met to activate this important climate emergency support mechanism," he explained.

Alonso Miguel recalled that this tool was created by the XIII Regional Government in 2022 to establish a legal framework that could respond to material and property damage and loss arising from extreme weather events regarding losses that are not covered by the other support systems in force. According to him, it "fills a gap that persisted until then," adding that it " enables public investments with a view to mitigating the impacts of climate change."

"Following the support provided for in the support systems that fall under the remit of local councils, the Social Security and other departments with competence in this area, there are always losses and material damages that are not covered by any existing insurance, hence the importance of the Legal and Financial Support Scheme for Climate Emergencies. It will direct the revenue from the fees charged on the provision of plastic bags to support affected families in this area, which is not covered by the other support mechanisms available," said the government official.

Alonso Miguel also explained that, since its creation in 2022, the Legal and Financial Support Scheme for Climate Emergencies has already been activated on six occasions, with the approval of about fifty applications. As he noted, "this is a support and solidarity tool aimed at helping Azorean citizens who suddenly and unpredictably find their lives affected by the impacts of extreme weather events, which, unfortunately, as a result of climate change, have become increasingly intense and prevalent."