site.btaUPDATED Prime Minister Glavchev: Disaster Aid Will Be Paid Promptly

Disaster aid will be paid promptly, said Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev in Shipka, Central Bulgaria, on Friday. He is visiting the town in the aftermath of Thursday's storm, which caused extensive damages across the region.

Glavchev said that the damages are extensive and entire roofs have been compromised. The Prime Minister urged people to insure their property.

Earlier on Friday, a partial state of disaster was declared for the cities of Shipka and Kazanlak and the villages of Sheynovo and Hadzhidimitrovo.

"I was pleasantly surprised that the people are working to repair the damages alone and are not relying on the state. However, they need support from the state and that;s why we are here", he said. 

Glavchev said that it is not a coincidence that Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov, who chairs an interdepartamental disaster commission. The people will receive aid from the state, it depends on all application forms which they will submit," the Prime Minister said. "We urge them to apply them as soon as possible, because this is a process of several stages.|

There are stages which depend on the local and regional administration, said Glavchev. "We are here to calm the people," said the Prime Minister. He said that a task force was set up on Friday. which will address the damages caused by hailstorms across the country. It will be chaired by the caretaker Interior Minister and will comprise the Agriculture Minister, the Transport Minister, and the Regional Development Minister. 

The meeting in Shipka was attended by Regional Development Minister Violeta Koritarova, officials of the Social Assistance Agency, Stara Zagora Regional Governor Iva Radeva, Kazanlak Deputy Mayor Srebra Kasseva, Shipka Mayor Vassilka Panayotova and local authorities officials.