Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa defended this Wednesday, February 4, a greater connection between Civil Protection and the Armed Forces in the sense that they are automatically summoned in calamity situations, such as Storm Kristin that devastated “a fifth of the country” a week ago.
“For the future we have to think about the relationship between the Armed Forces and Civil Protection”, said the President of the Republic, giving as an example the GNR which “is permanently present in Civil Protection”.
Several mayors have complained that the Armed Forces appeared a little later on the ground to support the populations affected by the passage of Storm Kristin, a week ago.
“In the future, there must be a way for the Armed Forces, with their logistical power, to be naturally linked to Civil Protection in a way that is instantaneous, without request or non-requisition. It is obvious that if there is a calamity, they are required”stated the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, in statements after visiting the Municipal Civil Protection Service of Ourém.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stressed that the Armed Forces “have an autonomous structure that depends on autonomous leadership” and that a “huge leap was taken when the Minister of National Defense returned [de uma viagem oficial] and the General Staff of the Armed Forces now has a coordinating role”.
The President of the Republic once again expressed concern about the implementation on the ground of the measures decided by the Government to support the populations affected by the Kirstin depression.
A week after the start of the storm that affected “a fifth of the country”, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa visited the Municipal Civil Protection Service of Ourém, where he found dozens of people in line looking for material to rebuild their homes and then went to a school where few students already have electricity at home.
Two days after the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, announced a package of measures to help affected families and companies, Marcelo admitted his fears.
“My fear is to put this machine to work because it involves more than having a coordinator, which is great, in Leiria. What is given from the Government really needs to reach the people and for this the role of municipalities and parishes is fundamental”, admitted Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, before a meeting at Pedrogão Grande City Council.
Asked again about the management carried out by the Executive, the President of the Republic considered that there were times when the Government was “well” and others when it was “less well”.
“The Prime Minister’s first reaction, realizing that it was serious and going to Civil Protection, well. Then, the idea that it was a smaller extension: it was insufficient, because after all it was broader. Then the prime minister goes to the field, notices that it is broader and declares a calamity: well. Then you don’t realize how broad it was and it points to fewer municipalities: less good. When he had the vision, the measures and the team advanced: well”, he declared.
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