Regional Government secures 45 million Euros in support for damage caused by Hurricane Lorenzo - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The Office of the Prime Minister has signed an order securing the transfer of 45 million Euros to the Autonomous Region of the Azores to cover the damage caused by Hurricane Lorenzo in October 2019.

The order will soon be published in the Official Gazette.

With this transfer, scheduled to take place by the end of this year, the Regional Government will provide a global amount of 73.7 million Euros in support. It includes seven million Euros transferred in 2023, 1.5 million Euros in 2021 and an anticipated payment of 20 million Euros in 2019. These amounts were secured through transfers from the State Budget.

"I would like to acknowledge the commitment of Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, and the current National Government to solving a significant debt situation with the Region, which had been pending since 2021, and is now finally being settled with this transfer of funds," stated José Manuel Bolieiro.

The signing of this order stems from the Regional Government's multiple requests, prompting the new National Government to solve a situation that had been pending since 2021 in just six months.

In addition to transferring this amount, the National Government has increased the amount available for the application submitted for the Flores Port project under the Portugal 2030 Climate Action and Sustainability Programme (PACS) from 198 million Euros to 217 million Euros - an increase of 19 million Euros.

"This budget effort is worthy of recognition, as it demonstrates a determination to honour a commitment through an effort that previous governments failed to achieve," stated the President of the Government.

Hurricane Lorenzo hit the Region in October 2019, causing damage estimated at 313.3 million Euros, according to a report drawn up by the Legislative Assembly in September 2020, especially to port infrastructures and housing.

The recent decision by the National Government marks an important step towards ensuring the continued recovery of the affected areas, which until now was being ensured at the Regional Government's own expense.