The Cumbre Vieja volcano on the island of La Palmas has reached three months since the eruption began on September 19 with signs of exhaustion and the hope of being able to be ended in a short period of time.
During this time, it is estimated that the lava has affected some 3,216 constructions, of which 2,988 would be totally destroyed and 138 partially, according to data from the Copernicus program satellite.
The volcano has caused the evacuation of some 7,000 people, of which 2,329 had their homes and land among the 1,218.87 hectares of land in a perimeter of 68.9 kilometers that the lava has devastated.
Currently, the number of people staying in hotels is 556. Of these, 390 are in Fuencaliente, 73 in Los Llanos de Aridane and 93 in Breña Baja, while the number of dependent people staying in social health centers remains at 43.
One-stop shop for those affected and delivery of homes
For their part, for those affected, the Government of the Canary Islands has created an office to unify the requests of those affected and the distribution of emergency aid launched by the regional Executive.
Similarly, in these months it has acquired homes that have already begun to be delivered to people who have lost their homes and, on a provisional basis, prefabricated homes have also been purchased, the installation of which has already begun.
Also, according to data from the Cabildo de La Palma, donations worth 8.97 million euros have been received for those affected by the eruption.
Signs of exhaustion
However, the Cumbre Vieja volcano maintains the signs of exhaustion that have been recorded in recent days and the remaining gases in the vicinity of the eruption are of concern.
Regarding seismicity, the National Geographic Institute (IGN) has located since last midnight and until 05.31 hours four earthquakes in La Palma of between 1.5 and 3.2 magnitude, none felt by the population.
In this sense, the latest report from the National Security Directorate (DSN) indicates that the eruptive process continues without variations compared to previous days.
Thus, it adds that the absence of observable signs of activity, both direct on the surface and from the surveillance systems, corroborates the exhaustion of the natural phenomenon, although a new rebound of strombolian activity and emission of lava flows is not ruled out.
To conclude the eruption that began on September 19, the recorded and observable data must remain at current levels for at least seven days.
The government expects to mobilize up to 230 million before 2022
For its part, the Government of Spain has hoped that before the end of this 2021 up to 230 million will have been mobilized for those affected by the volcano in different aid packages, as stated this Friday by the minister, Félix Bolaños, after the Council of Ministers.
In this way, to date, 437 people have received compensation from the Insurance Compensation Consortium, which has already paid more than 60 million euros.
In addition, 10.5 million euros have been approved for housing aid with which 95 have already been acquired and in the coming days five more homes. Of these, 15 properties have been delivered and another 138 potential beneficiaries have been detected to allocate homes.
Increased aid to bananas and fishermen
Regarding the measures approved this Friday, 13.5 million in aid will be allocated to banana farmers, for an amount of 4,600 euros for each beneficiary; and another 17.62 million to support the self-employed and SMEs affected by the volcano, with which the tourism sector will be boosted.
This initiative includes plans to promote tourism to the island, aid to national and foreign airlines for 1.3 million to promote flights to La Palma, as well as a tourist voucher of 300 euros to stimulate travel in 2022.
At the same time, to facilitate and speed up the economic recovery of those affected, they may have an advance of 50% of the amounts of aid without waiting for each file to be fully resolved and may postpone their obligations with the Treasury until the spring of 2022, among other measures.
Currently, there are 1,237 workers benefiting from the special Ertes for the island of La Palma and another 569 self-employed workers covered by the benefit.
Among the measures approved is the increase in the maximum amounts per home that will now amount to 60,480 euros in case of total destruction of the home. These aids will be compatible with the compensation from the Insurance Compensation Consortium and with those of the Government of the Canary Islands so that those who have lost their homes can cover practically the total cost of their properties.
Advances of 50%
Likewise, it has been approved that the Government Delegation may grant advances on account of 50 percent of the aid, so that it will not be necessary for the file to be fully resolved in certain circumstances so that those affected can gain liquidity.
For the agricultural sector, the Executive has approved 12 million euros this Friday: a direct subsidy to the Canarian Government of up to 10 million euros to expand support measures to compensate for the damages caused to the agricultural sector and another 2 million for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to contract institutional advertising and communication campaigns to promote consumption and improve the market position of agricultural or fishing products affected by the eruption. With these 12 million, aid to the agricultural sector in La Palma amounts to 30 million euros.
On the other hand, the Government will give a subsidy of 150,000 euros to the Canarian Institute of Culture to carry out cultural activities for the population of La Palma.
Also, those affected may postpone all their debts until May 2, 2020 so that "they do not have to worry about tax obligations" in terms of social security and exempts all seafarers until they can return to work.
It will also facilitate that the Covid lines can continue until June 2022 and extends the aid of these lines to "all" the companies of La Palma, given the fall in consumer demand throughout the island.
Tourist promotion
In terms of tourism, the aid package includes 4,625,000 euros to promote La Palma "once the eruption is over" and will launch a program of tourist vouchers of 300 euros articulated through virtual debit cards for exclusive consumption on the island of La Palma throughout 2022.
With this measure, which has a contribution of 3.3 million euros from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and an equivalent amount from the Government of the Canary Islands, the Executive seeks to encourage tourist trips to the island when conditions of normality are given and support the tourism sector, which is one of the activities that contributes the most wealth and employment in La Palma.
A line of special incentives will also be launched to improve national and international air connectivity of La Palma during 2022. Specifically, it will allocate 1.32 million to subsidize the seats that national and international airlines schedule to the island.
Similarly, there will be another item of 10 million euros in direct subsidies to create new companies, expand existing ones or diversify products during 2022, 2023 and 2024. Finally, another of the measures includes 3 million euros to subsidize the international science, art and music festival Starmus Festival in July 2022.
