Éric Ciotti, president of the Alpes-Maritimes department, convened a plenary assembly this Friday to present the departmental support plan for the victims of the Nice attack that took place on July 14.
In the preamble, Éric Ciotti recalled the words of the director of one of the French intelligence services, spoken after the attacks on Charlie Hebdo’s editorial office and the Hypercacher in Vincennes, at the beginning of 2015. “France begins a long tragic path.” However, the departmental president of the Alpes-Maritimes could not have imagined that a site like the Promenade des Anglais would be attacked, resulting in 84 deaths and 330 injuries.
He delivered his speech in a measured tone, appropriate to the situation. Emotion was still present throughout the assembly hall. The present opposition greatly praised his address.
He emphasized the work of the law enforcement and emergency services: firefighters, emergency medical services, civil security, doctors, etc. “Our social and medical services were mobilized all night and throughout the weekend in a crisis and absolute emergency situation.”
Of course, he expressed his support for the victims’ families and the injured. They can contact the French Association of Victims of Terrorism (AFVT) to receive financial compensation. “A departmental grant of 100,000 euros will be awarded to the AFVT,” he announced.
But he didn’t stop there: “Just as with physical injuries, all victims of moral trauma must benefit from compensation. They must be able to access compensation for moral damages that may result from this, from the country.” This is intended, at the very least, to reimburse psychological aid costs.
Subsequently, Éric Ciotti proposed “an action plan aimed at addressing the post-traumatic consequences of the attack for the families and children who witnessed it.” The first focus is to set up “two listening and support units dedicated to children and families” in the east and the west of the Promenade des Anglais. Secondly, the plan aims to create “talking and listening groups at the Parents’ School of Nice,” in partnership with UNICEF. The third focus is on establishing a unit of six specialized psychologists who will be specifically trained in managing post-traumatic situations. Lastly, the final aspect concerns “the support of child protection professionals, from maternal and child protection (PMI) to child welfare.”
Thibault Bourru
