In a joint press conference with Planning Minister Julio De Vido, Social Development Minister Alicia Kirchner defended local authorities from local media accusations the relief, rescue and reestablishment of services were taking more than it should.
“It was not only a problem of lack of service, it was a true tragedy. Had the same scenario happen anywhere else it would have been the same. We are surely making some mistakes. But we are putting all our efforts to press on working on relief efforts.”
On his turn, Planning Minister Julio De Vido said that «Over 2.5 million were affected by power shortages after the massive storm hit the metropolitan and Greater Buenos Aires last Wednesday. Over 30,000 people remain in the dark.»
De Vido provided a state-of-situation balance of the government efforts to reestablish normality after the meteorological phenomenon. De Vido listed the government’s rescue and relief efforts after the storm left water and power shortages.
“We had tough days that we faced with the instructions of the President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner,” said De Vido.
The official also confirmed the deaths of seventeen people as he thanked relief teams, local and national government official for working “night and day.”
“The damage caused by the storm moved us. We realized it was a tornado after seeing some footage,” De Vido concluded.
Security Secretary Sergio Berni remarked that «We haven’t had a storm of such proportions in the past one hundred years. Thousands of families were affected by it, but we mobilized over five thousand rescue workers, policemen and gendarmerie for the relief efforts.”
Source: Buenos Aires Herald