The Government creates the Special Commissioner for the Reconstruction and Reparation of Damage Caused by DANA

19/11/2024

• The high number of victims, the magnitude of the damage and the measures necessary for the recovery of normality justify the action of the AGE, from the beginning of interterritorial solidarity and in a subsidiary way, complementing the actions that, in the exercise of their competences, the territorial administrations have entrusted • Its structure of the Special Commissioner is approved, being attached to the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory

Madrid, November 19, 2024.- The Government has approved, on the proposal of the Ministries of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory and Digital Transformation and Public Service, a Royal Decree regulating the creation, secondment and functions of the Special Commissioner for the reconstruction and repair of the damages caused by the DANA in different municipalities between October 28 and November 4, 2024, in accordance with Law 40/2015, on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector.

The DANA has caused a large number of fatalities, as well as extensive damage, such as floods in dozens of municipalities, cut roads and tracks and shattered bridges.

Given the magnitude of the damage caused and the measures that are necessary for the recovery of normality in the affected areas, the action of the General Administration of the State (AGE) and the declaration of an area seriously affected by a civil protection emergency are considered justified, based on the principle of interterritorial solidarity and on a subsidiary basis, complementing the actions that, in the exercise of their competences, are entrusted to the territorial administrations.

Special Commissioner

The Special Commissioner for the reconstruction and repair of the damage caused by the DANA in different areas of the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands is created between 28 October and 4 November 2024, with the rank of Undersecretary and with a temporary validity, who will be responsible for the promotion, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the measures adopted by the AGE, as well as coordination with the territorial administrations affected. ► The Commissioner shall carry out his functions under the organizational and functional dependence of the person in charge of the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory. ► The Commissioner shall carry out the following functions:

a. Promote the implementation of the measures adopted by the AGE to alleviate the damage caused by the DANA.

b. B. Carry out periodic analysis and monitoring of the implementation of the measures adopted by the AGE, in particular the granting of aid and advances, as well as propose new measures to the Interministerial Commission for the development of urgent measures for the territory affected by the DANA, with special emphasis on the simplification of procedures and reduction of administrative burdens.

c. C. To submit reports to the Government on the activities carried out and the results, as well as any proposals it deems necessary for the proper fulfilment of the functions entrusted.

d. D. To request from the Ministerial Departments, entities dependent on the AGE and the Government Delegations, Government Subdelegations and Island Directorates of the affected territories, as much information as is necessary for the fulfilment of their functions, and to convene as many meetings as are required for this purpose.

E. C. Promote the coordination of the AGE with the territorial administrations affected in the implementation of the measures adopted.

f. F. To support the holder of the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory in the exercise of the functions proper to the presidency of the Interministerial Commission for the development of urgent measures for the territory affected by DANA.

In addition, in the functions of the State in the face of the effects caused by DANA, in the territorial sphere determined in Royal Decree-Law 6/2024, the National Response and Reconstruction Mechanism against DANA will adjust its activities to the determinations established by the Commissioner.

► As for their structure, they are created within the Commissioner, with the rank of general sub-direction:

a. The Office for the Coordination and Promotion of Aid Implementation

b. B. The Office of Institutional Relations

► For the exercise of his functions, the Commissioner shall count on the collaboration of the competent AGE bodies for the purpose of the matter, as well as the bodies of the territorial administrations concerned, in accordance with the principles of cooperation and coordination between public administrations.

This royal decree is issued in exercise of the power of self-organization of the AGE and does not affect the competences of the autonomous communities. The royal decree, on the other hand, will have a positive impact on the economy, while helping to resume the business activities that have been affected by the DANA.

Link to Press Release (162 KB)