Education and jobs are the
"absolute priorities" for the re-birth of the areas of central
Italy devastated by a recent series of earthquakes,
Reconstruction Commissioner Vasco Errani told an ANSA Forum on
Friday.
He also announced that "21 new schools" will be built in the
affected areas by September.
"We are working to boost the economy," he added.
"If we don't take care of schools and work, then the problem
of depopulation in those areas, which was taking place before
the quakes, will continue".
Civil Protection Chief Fabrizio Curcio also took part in the
forum.
The earthquake emergency began on August 24 when a
6.0-magnitude tremor killed 299 people in the Lazio towns of
Amatrice and Accumoli and the nearby Marche town of Arquata del
Tronto.
There were more quakes in October, including, a 6.5-magnitude
quake near Norcia, the biggest since 1980.
A fresh round of quakes on January 18 also triggered an
avalanche that hit the Rigopiano Hotel in the Abruzzo mountains,
claiming 29 lives.
The quakes razed entire villages to the ground and destroyed
priceless artworks and Medieval churches as well as much of the
area's economy, causing billions in damage.
The forum was held a day after ANSA launched its new portal
on the reconstruction effort for the areas hit by the quakes -
ANSA Sisma e Ricostruzione.
"Such an important, direct portal is an anchor for the
institutions and for the citizens, as it carries certified news
and information," Curcio said.
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