Yesterday, at the beginning of the day, the Metropolis gathered some of the stakeholders who have mobilized and continue to mobilize for nine weeks now. Thanks to their various actions, two million euros have been raised. A nice contribution for the valleys.
Considered as one of the most significant catastrophes the country has experienced over the last thirty years, Storm Alex has caused damage of barely imaginable magnitude. Nearly two billion euros will be spent to facilitate the reconstruction of the valleys. But in addition to money, it will take time and above all, a great spirit of solidarity. This is what the volunteers, associations, communities, and other businesses have demonstrated by mobilizing to collect financial and material donations. In total, no less than two million euros will contribute to the collective effort led jointly by the Metropolis and the Department.
A generous gesture that shows that the valleys have not been forgotten: “I know too well what things are like. There’s emotion right away, and then time passes. And you fall into oblivion. That’s why it’s important to act very quickly,” adds the Mayor of Nice, recalling the tragic events of July 14th and a sense of abandonment felt a few months after the tragedy. The money collected will mainly provide direct aid to individuals who have lost parts or all of their belongings. “Our role is to support the volunteers who intervene where we do not have the expertise or authority to do so,” assures Christian Estrosi.
Among the associations involved in supporting disaster victims, “Les week-ends solidaires” is participating in this volunteer movement that has become vital for many people. “We quickly organized outings with 50 volunteers. This strength enabled us to achieve in one day what would have taken two months. Every Saturday, we have three or four projects with 200 to 300 volunteers who come together with the same goal, to help people in need. It’s important for us as we are viscerally attached to our valleys, where we spent our childhood,” explains Gil Marsalla, founder of the association.
A lifesaving effort that encouraged dozens of residents to hold on and see hope where despair had settled after witnessing their homes severely damaged. An often impossible task to accomplish alone: “Honestly, given the extent of what needed to be done, it would have taken us years. We would have started slowly clearing a few square meters. But all the moisture rose in the house, it was… In two weekends, they cleared 1.50 meters of silt, plus stones, tree trunks, and wood. They enabled us to restore cold water, soon hot water, heating… But all the premises have been cleaned and will allow us to continue,” testifies a disaster victim living at the bottom of the Tinée valley, near the Var’s riverbed.
Other operations are ongoing every weekend. You can contact the association to participate in this extensive cleanup that will continue for several more months.
