President of the Swiss Confederation in Valais: “Solidarity is very important”
Published: Monday, Jul 1st 2024, 12:00
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The President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, was impressed by the extent of the flood damage at the weekend in Valais on Monday. She said during an inspection that it was important for her to see for herself.
"You have pictures. But seeing it up close is enormous, impressive. It's hard for the population," said Amherd. "I already experienced this in Brig in 1993, and back then you could see that solidarity is very important."
Viola Amherd also thought of the industrial companies, some of which had to stop production after the storms at the weekend: "We have to intervene quickly so that work can resume. The damage is enormous," she said.
The head of the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) recalled that the army was mobilizing troops to help the canton. However, she also said that she did not have "thousands of soldiers" at her disposal to intervene. However, the army had already been able to provide support on Sunday and would intensify this from today, Monday.
Such events "follow each other faster and faster, you have to pay attention to prevention", added the President of the Swiss Confederation. In 1993, she had already experienced such a situation in Brig as a "young municipal councillor responsible for the buildings".
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