Amherd Makes an On-Site Picture of Storm Damage
Published: Tuesday, Aug 15th 2023, 15:00
Updated At: Friday, Oct 13th 2023, 14:12
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Viola Amherd, the Swiss Federal Councillor for Defence, Protection of the Population and Sport, visited La Chaux-de-Fonds NE on Tuesday to assess the damage caused by a severe storm. Specialists from the Army's Mountain Service Competence Centre have been tasked with securing roofs in the city. During her visit, the Councillor was able to inform herself about the civilian and military relief dispositive set up by the city and canton, and observe the Army's deployment. Since August 2nd, around 80 members of the Disaster Relief Readiness Battalion, the 11th Armoured Engineer Battalion and the Mountain Service Competence Centre have been helping to deal with the storm damage in La Chaux-de-Fonds. They have been carrying out security work in public parks near schools to prevent debris from falling or unstable trees from toppling over in anticipation of the start of the school year. At the request of the Canton of Neuchâtel, the specialists from the Mountain Service Competence Centre, supported by a team of drone operators from the Disaster Relief Readiness Battalion, will continue their mission until August 23rd. The members of the Disaster Relief Readiness Battalion and the 11th Armoured Engineer Battalion have now been released from their mission. In addition to the Army, the Civil Protection is also on site. More than 100 civil protection personnel have been deployed to help the affected population and support the various partners of the population protection. On July 24th, La Chaux-de-Fonds was hit by severe storms. The storm claimed one life and 40 injuries. Almost two thirds of the building stock was damaged. The total damage is estimated at around 90 million Swiss francs. Among other things, the Swiss Red Cross is supporting the most affected people with 200,000 Swiss francs. In the case of natural disasters in Switzerland, their help is subsidiary to public services, insurance and other institutions.nnnnnnnnnn
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