President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa Enacts Government Decree with Support Measures for Fire-Affected Populations
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, officially promulgated a government diploma this Saturday that establishes a comprehensive set of measures to support and mitigate the impact of the recent rural fires. The announcement was published on the official website of the Presidency, confirming the executive's plan to address the widespread damage. The government's policy initiative was formalized following an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers held in Viseu on Thursday, where a framework of 45 distinct measures was approved. The stated objective of this policy is to enable a “quick and agile” deployment of support to the regions and individuals most affected by the large-scale fires that have impacted the country.
The policy's implementation strategy includes a multi-faceted approach targeting families, businesses, and agricultural producers. A central component of the plan is the financial support allocated for the reconstruction of primary residences. The decree specifies a 100% state-funded co-payment for rebuilding costs, with a maximum ceiling of €250,000 per property. This measure is designed to directly assist homeowners who have lost their primary dwelling to the fires. The implementation timeline for these housing supports is expected to be expedited to address the urgent needs of displaced families. The government has indicated that this support is a direct response to the destruction of both primary and secondary homes across the North and Central regions.
For the agricultural sector, the government has established an exceptional support fund to compensate farmers for their losses, with provisions for claims up to €10,000 even without complete documentation, acknowledging the disruptive nature of the disaster. The policy also includes targeted support for the liquidity of businesses directly affected by the fires, coupled with an exemption from social security contributions for companies that maintain their current employment levels. These measures are intended to stabilize local economies and prevent business closures in the fire-ravaged areas. The Ministry of Economy will oversee the distribution of these funds, ensuring they reach the intended recipients efficiently.
A significant aspect of the government's announcement is the creation of a new “legislative instrument” that will function as a permanent framework law for future large-scale fire events. This legal framework is intended to streamline the process of providing aid and will allow for the rapid launch of tenders to support municipalities in repairing damaged public infrastructure. This initiative reflects a strategic shift towards creating a more structured and predictable response mechanism for such disasters. The policy aims to reduce bureaucratic delays and ensure that local governments have the resources needed for swift recovery operations. Political stakeholders have emphasized that this framework will be crucial for long-term resilience.
The recent fires have had a severe impact on mainland Portugal, with provisional data indicating that approximately 248,000 hectares of land had burned as of August 23. The fires have resulted in four deaths, including one firefighter, and numerous injuries. The destruction has extended across residential properties, agricultural operations, and vast forest areas. The government's comprehensive package of 45 measures is a direct response to the scale of this devastation, addressing immediate needs while also establishing a more robust policy for future events. The budget allocation for this extensive aid package will be detailed in a forthcoming report from the Ministry of Finance, which will outline the funding mechanisms for each of the 45 initiatives.
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