The universal demand of the people of Karditsa for the immediate adoption of measures to protect public health, the essential support of the thousands of people affected by the recent deadly and devastating floods; which submerged entire villages under the muddy waters, as well as the anti-flood shielding and overall reconstruction of our region which in less than three years since the advance of Janos received an even stronger blow is highlighted by the Pagarditsio rally that is underway in Palamas.

Hundreds of citizens from Palamas and the Communities of the area, Karditsabut also the entire Prefecture that was universally affected by the extreme phenomena and mainly by their effects, direct and long-term that will affect the whole of the local production process and economy, have gathered in the area of ​​Palamas Square wanting to send a resounding message to the government, but also outside the borders that emergency situations, such as the one they experienced and are experiencing, require both emergency and brave measures.

The demands of the rally

The demanding framework of the mobilization which is a decision of the meeting convened on 25/9 in Palamas by the EOASK, the Palamas Commercial Association and the Palamas Agricultural Association with the participation of representatives of dozens of mass organizations in our region puts forward the following demands:

• Take immediate infrastructure measures for medical care and food, drinking water, chemical toilets for the affected, and restore electricity and water infrastructure.

• To find reception areas with all the necessary infrastructure for our fellow human beings whose homes were flooded or destroyed and to share beds, mattresses with the flooded.

• To register and immediately remove dead animals from the countryside for the protection of public health and to proceed with the necessary disinfections, spraying and the necessary actions for the restoration of the environment.

• There should be an immediate record of damage and destruction to houses, infrastructure, shops, crops, livestock, etc. and all the necessary measures should be taken to provide financial relief to the affected residents, by granting emergency aid to each family.

• To compensate 100%, without terms and conditions, for the damages to plant production, to agricultural capital (plant, animal, fixed), shops, machinery, warehouses and stored production to all the affected farmers (by main occupation and not) and EBE.

• The immediate and complete recording of the damages to all businesses affected in the area. Immediate payment of a one-off financial aid for the resumption of their operation. 100% rent subsidy for commercial accommodation for as long as the business is not operating.

• To give the linked aids without any condition, limit or ceiling on the delivery of the production, with the only criterion being the IACS declaration.

• Especially for the breeders and beekeepers, to accept all the statements of the affected about the losses in animals and bee colonies since they were drifted kilometers away or buried in the mud and are impossible to find. To ensure, under the responsibility of the state, the supply of the affected livestock farmers with fodder and other necessary means for the herds to survive. The same should be done with the beekeepers.

• To give a monthly allowance of at least 1,500 euros with an increase of 300 euros for each child, until the damages are restored to all those affected.

• To exempt those affected from municipal fees, ENFIA, VAT, OAEE – OGA, TOEB, GOEB, to freeze debts to the state – banks – liquidators without surcharges. Immediately stop any seizure and auction procedures. To freeze all debts without surcharges for as long as those affected are unable to pay them. Write off interest and bold capital cuts in bank loans.

• To take all the necessary measures for the smooth operation of hospitals and Health Centers, especially in Palamas which is not functioning and in the others which are under functioning.

• To immediately mobilize all the available means and personnel of the state services to remove the large quantities of accumulated materials and to proceed with the necessary actions for the restoration of the areas of arable land that suffered erosion, siltation, and soil removal. Ensure access to all agricultural lands and repair embankments immediately.

• To ensure government assistance for the cleaning and restoration of building facilities, warehouses, stable facilities, mechanical and other equipment, tools, cars, agricultural supplies, animal feed, hives and goods to the affected.

• To be done with state responsibility (without PPP), study and implementation of an integrated plan of infrastructure projects that will definitively solve the problem in all the disputed areas where floods occur and the necessary anti-flood protection and shielding projects.

Greetings to the rally were addressed by the President of the Palamas Agricultural Association, Mr. Sot. Antoniou, the President of the Palamas Trade Association Mr. I. Didangelos, the General Secretary of the Labor Center Mrs. Dor. Goula, the President of N.T. of ADEDY, Mr. Ap. Taxiarchis, the President of the Union of Hospital Doctors and Health Centers of Karditsa Prefecture, Mr. Ext. Gazos, the President of ELME Karditsa Mr. Al. Fitsilis and the Secretary of the Merchants’ Association N. Karditsas and the representative of the Palamas Shelter for Flood Victims Mr. G. Papadopoulos who, on behalf of the organizations they represented, expressed their solidarity with the victims and their will to demand the satisfaction of their just demands.

The main speaker of the rally was the President of EOASK, Mr. Kon. Jellas who initially thanked the participants for their intense presence while also expressing his condolences to the families of the victims of the floods. Regarding the causes of the disaster, Mr. Tzelas acknowledged the intensity of the phenomena but wondered why the anti-flood projects, which our region has claimed since 1994, were not carried out.

The President of EOASK called on the citizens to claim in an organized manner with unity and determination the just demands concerning their lives. “And with our lives we are not going to give the right to play. We have to fight if we want to stay in our place.” he emphasized characteristics, then expanding the assertive context of the rally. “We don’t bargain. It’s about the next day of our lives.” underlined.

After the rally ended, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of the victims.

Source: karditsalive.net