site.btaSocial Assistance Agency Provides BGN 1,578 for Emergency Needs of Forest Fires Victims
The Social Assistance Agency is providing BGN 1,578 for the emergency needs of those who have been affected by forest fires, caretaker Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova said. She was speaking Friday at a briefing after the Security Council at the Council of Ministers. Farmers and legal entities can receive help for affected areas and lost animals, the Minister informed.
There are four decisions under discussion, Petkova said. The first is on compensation for fire victims, and the Ministry of Finance is currently drafting a programme to compensate people who have been affected by fires. There are several possible sources of funding, and part of the main funding for these compensations will be provided through restructuring of expenditures from the state budget, Petkova said.
The second decision is about the weekly reporting to the National Assembly on the actions taken. The participants in the meeting commented on the organisation, the compilation of the information and its submission to the National Assembly.
The remaining two items are on the purchase of firefighting equipment, including aerial equipment, Petkova said.
Earlier on Friday, Parliament decided to oblige the government to take the necessary actions to purchase aerial firefighting equipment for the needs of the Interior Ministry.
The Council of Ministers should submit to the National Assembly a report on the actions taken to use the funds allocated in February 2024 under Operational Programme Environment to the amount of BGN 170 million for the purchase of fire-fighting equipment for prevention of forest fires.
The local authorities will submit assistance applications weekly to the Finance Ministry.
Asked how much the compensation for people can reach, Petkova said that there are several sources of funding, with a limit only on the funds that are received from the Social Assistance Agency. This concerns the BGN 1,578 that are for the most urgent needs, for food and water. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food will pay de minimis compensation for lost animals and damaged areas, which will amount EUR 25,000 for farmers and individuals and up to EUR 250,000 for legal entities, the Finance Minister said. For the funds that will be covered by the budget, as well as the Disaster and Emergency Fund, the costs will be covered according to the damage. If there is a need, temporary buildings will be constructed for the injured, Petkova assured.
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