The Minister of National Defense said this Monday in Pedrogão Grande that all branches of the armed forces are “committed” to preventing and extinguishing fires.
“From the Air Force, where more than 60 aircraft are deployed to fight fires, to the Army and Navy, all units, as required by the state, are engaged in the prevention and fight against fires, without ever denying anything,” emphasized Nuno Melo, who spoke to reporters at the end of the June 10 celebrations in Pedrogan Grande, one of the municipalities most affected by the major fires in June 2017.
When asked by the Luz agency whether the participation of the Armed Forces could be increased, Nuno Melo rejected this need, considering that the military provided the requested funds in cooperation with other ministries, namely the Ministry of Internal Administration.
The President of the SDS-PP also said that he is primarily “hopeful” about these celebrations in the areas most affected by the fires on June 17, 2017.
“We have experienced a tragedy here of epic proportions that I hope will not happen again,” he said.
According to Nuno Melo, the country must learn “from mistakes,” from deaths and the destruction of heritage.
“We have a collective commitment to do better,” he said, believing that the Armed Forces “will know how to respond to this challenge by being available for everything that society requires, as it has been in every sector without exception.” .
When asked about measures for the military, Nuno Melo reiterated his commitment to improving “pay conditions, allowances and everything that helps keep soldiers in the Armed Forces.”
“The first measures will be aimed at current combatants and those who fought in the past part of their lives, former combatants, without forgetting either one,” he added.
Celebrations of Portugal Day, Camões and the Portuguese communities this year are centered on Castanheira de Pera, Figueiro dos Vinhos and Pedrogão Grande – municipalities affected by fires in June 2017, which left 66 people dead and 253 injured. These fires also destroyed about half a thousand homes and 50 businesses.