Italy's Meloni vows support for flood-hit Emilia-Romagna

After returning from the G7 Summit in Japan early to inspect the damage on the ground, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni promised to help the flood-hit regions of northern Italy.

Meloni visited towns in Emilia-Romagna, where floods killed 14 people, and caused damages estimated at billions. She stopped off in this region on her return from the summit.

Meloni, who was in Ravenna at the time of the disaster, told reporters that "it has been a tragedy. But we can always come back stronger from crises." Meloni said that meeting those affected by the flood was a very moving experience.

The right-wing prime minister said that the damage was immense, but it was difficult to estimate the financial impact.

She added that Italy could call on the Solidarity Fund of the European Union for natural disasters.

She added that other leaders who attended the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, had offered their support.

Meloni said that her conscience wouldn't allow her to remain away at the summit for any longer.

On Sunday (21 May), the rain stopped and the locals and rescue teams were working to remove the mud from the streets and buildings before the sun dried it up.

Today (23 May), the Italian government will convene a cabinet to discuss measures to deal with this emergency. Meloni, who has seen some of the damages first-hand, said that she will spend Monday reviewing recovery plans.

Around 36,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes. Many of those still in the flooded areas had no electricity. By Sunday evening, about 10,000 people had returned home.

The agriculture industry has been hard hit in a region that grows fruits such as peaches and kiwis, and grains and corn.

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