When Storm Alex swept through the south of France back in October 2020, it caused untold devastation to large parts of the Alpes-Maritimes, destroying communities and livelihoods, and led to the deaths of 18 people. In the aftermath, the Monaco Government and Prince Albert II pledged their support – financial, logistical and emotional – to the rebuilding of the Roya, Tinée, Vésubie and Moyen Var valleys.
On 2nd and 3rd October 2020, one of the most intense storms in living memory tore through the Alpes-Maritimes. The damage caused was extensive. Towns and villages were cut off, people lost their homes, local infrastructure was wiped off the map and, most tragically, 18 people died.
Within hours of Storm Alex’s passing, the Principality of Monaco mobilised to offer its support and provided both logistical and human assistance to the Alpes-Maritimes authorities, who were faced with destruction and damage on a scale not seen in France since WWII.
See more: Prince visits storm-ravaged valleys
A year later, the Prince’s Government signed an agreement to help fund, to the tune of €3 million in collaboration with the Fondation du Patrimoine, a range of restoration and reconstruction projects in the areas most affected by the storm, notably the Roya, Tinée, Vésubie and Moyen Var valleys, which lie to the north of Monaco.
With many of these projects now complete, a ceremony was held at the Palais des Rois Sardes in Nice on 10th September to thank Prince Albert and the Monaco Government for their contributions and support.
Among those present were: many of the mayors of the municipalities that received funding; Hugues Moutouh, Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes; Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Monaco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Lionel Beffre, Monaco’s new Minister of the Interior; and Prince Albert, who spoke about the impact that Storm Alex had on the region.
“Enclosed within the Alpes-Maritimes, the Principality of Monaco has long maintained close ties not only with its neighbouring municipalities, but also with all of the communities of the department and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region,” said the Prince. “When the Alpine massifs surrounding the Principality were severely devastated by Storm Alex on 2nd October 2020, it was only natural that we offered logistical and human assistance to the French authorities the very next day to support the rescue operations.
Storm Alex left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds, but it also reminded us of the strength of the local community that we form. I will have the pleasure, in the coming weeks, of attending the inauguration of a symbolic project in each of the three valleys, made possible thanks to the financial support of the Principality of Monaco.”
Monaco’s financial support has helped with a full 30 projects in the affected valleys, from the rebuilding of historically important bridges in Fontan and La Brigue to village walls, canals and a playground in Saorge. The funds have also assisted in renovations to the many roadways and walking paths that were destroyed by the flash floods and landslides, as well as the reconstruction of and repairs to numerous cultural and community sites, including the Saint-Michel Church and Chapel of Mercy in Tende, the Santa-Maria-in-Albis Church in Breil-sur-Roya, the Saint-Pons Church and the presbytery in Marie, the war memorial and Chapel of the White Penitents in Villars-sur-Var, the Saint-Michel Church in Venanson, and the Saint-Michel de Gast Church in Roquebillière.
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Photo credit: Monaco Communications Department