Floods in the province: Lifschitz has toured the affected areas and contacted with local authorities.
Miércoles 27 de enero de 2016 Governor Miguel Lifschitz overflew by helicopter the areas of the province affected by flooding caused by the rising of the Paraná River. The tour encompassed the towns of San Javier, Reconquista and Las Toscas, and concluded in Colastiné, South District.
Also participated in the tour the Ministers of Government and Reform of the State, Pablo Farías, and Social development, Jorge Álvarez; the Secretary of Civil Protection, Marcos Escajadillo; and members of the provincial parliament: José Baucero from San Javier, Orfilio Marcón from General Obligado, and Emilio Jatón from the Capital.
In this context, Lifschitz considered, "Fortunately, we have a very limited number of areas evacuated in the province, around 400, which means a condition much less serious than in Entre Rios. Anyway we are concerned and we want to give the best service to all the families who are in this situation," he said.
"Also – he continued - we are very careful to follow the evolution of the floodwaters of the river and the increase of rainfall which could occur in the next few days, to prevent situations and provide the right answers", said the Governor.
"There are some areas as Reconquista port or any neighborhood that are under water but, for now, they are very specific and limited situations. The municipalities are working very well with the support of the province in the preventive and providing suitable responses. Obviously, we expect that the situation to change in the next few days and we hope that there are no more disaster-affected people but, if any, we have all the technical and social infrastructure to meet them", said the head of the Santa Fe Executive.
Also, the Governor recalled that "the province is working to prevent possible consequences of the «El Niño current» and everything it represents as climate change. We have worked hard in prevention as well as the Water Emergency Committee involving various ministries, coordinated by the Secretary of Civil Protection, Marcos Escajadillo".
He added, we also have a permanent presence in every place where there is difficulty, both through Civil protection as areas of infrastructure, provincial roads, the Ministry of Waters and, of course, to the accompaniment of Social Development and Health", said Lifschitz.
Alvarez said, "Yesterday we met with the Minister of Social Development of the National Government, Carolina Stanley," and coordinated the tasks to carry out on the basis of the survey we did in each of the places and we have her commitment to assist in the short term the most urgent cases.
In Reconquista, the Governor visited one of the installed in that city evacuation centres, to learn about the State of health of the victims and their immediate needs.
There, Mayor Amadeo Vallejos acknowledged that "If the municipality had to face this on its own, it would not be possible to do it"; He stressed that "the situation is being addressed from various aspects, through the provision of drinking water and food"; and he thanked "the Government of the province, and personally Miguel Lifschitz, Marcos Escajadillo and engineer Garibay".
Meanwhile, in Las Toscas, Mayor Leandro Chamorro remarked the arrival of a power pumper from the province "with a very important capacity. Civil protection is perfectly aware of what is happening in the city, as well as the people from Social Development. We are alert. "It can keep raining, but the assistance will be as fast as possible", he said.
Finally, in Colastiné, the Governor toured the modules where evacuees are housed and held a conversation at the South Colastiné Civil Association with about 40 neighbours who do not want to leave their homes. There, he heard the particular situations and received complaints from those affected. "Collaboration is given, but when the river reaches a certain level it is essential to carry out the evacuation," he remarked with regard to those who are reluctant to leave the area. "We are taking all the precautions so that families have all the required assistance, in case they need to leave," he completed.