In a significant escalation of emergency response, Valencia will witness military deployment starting Friday (today) to assist with logistical operations and aid distribution in the wake of the catastrophic DANA storm that has left 155 confirmed fatalities in the autonomous community.
This decision follows a joint announcement by Carlos Mazón, President of the Generalitat Valenciana, and Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Spain’s Interior Minister, who will now participate “permanently” in the emergency coordination team in Valencia.
Mazón earlier committed €250 million in direct aid for affected citizens. Furthermore, he confirmed that the Spanish Army and the Military Emergency Unit (UME) would begin operations at 8.00 am on Friday. The deployment aims to strengthen logistical support for Valencia and surrounding areas still struggling with extensive disruption and damage due to the DANA storm. Which has been the most destructive weather event in recent memory.
Military mobilisation to aid crisis management
The decision for military involvement came after discussions between Mazón and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the emergency coordination centre (CECOPI) in Valencia. Despite recent political tensions between the Generalitat and the central government, Sánchez and Mazón have underscored their commitment to working together on the crisis response. The UME, which had previously been dispatched to Valencia for rescue operations, will now lead a more comprehensive support effort across affected areas.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that UME personnel would be deployed across “all necessary locations in the Comunidad Valenciana,” responding to an urgent call for expanded support in the worst-hit areas. This mission includes reinforcing rescue and relief logistics, as well as bolstering security around key infrastructure, aiding thousands of residents impacted by the storm.
Permanent crisis coordination under Interior Ministry
Grande-Marlaska’s decision to join the CECOPI team full-time comes amid criticism directed at the Generalitat over delays in issuing emergency alerts to the public. Earlier in the week, the Interior Minister suggested that a more immediate response might have mitigated some of the disaster’s impact. Now, alongside the military deployment, Marlaska’s presence in Valencia represents an intensified federal commitment to coordinate emergency measures effectively.
Mazón emphasised that this collaborative approach aims to “strengthen operational coordination” in real-time. The central government, Generalitat Valenciana, and the UME are working in unison to provide immediate and efficient relief. He reiterated the government’s commitment to support the Valencian community through a combination of local and federal resources, ensuring that no area remains overlooked in this ongoing emergency.