June 14, 2011
Israel allocates millions to repair Carmel
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Israel has allocated millions of dollars to repair the damage caused by the Carmel wildfire.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Dr. Yuval Steinitz instructed the government to release the funds following a decision made by the Carmel Rehabilitation Steering Committee headed by Eyal Gabai, director-general of the Prime Minister’s Office.
The assistance will help in the construction of permanent homes, compensating residents, assisting in the rehabilitation of the communities, rehabilitating the Carmel forests, resuming cultural activities and repairing damages to agriculture and infrastructures, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Some $16 million will be allocated to rehabilitating the flora and fauna in the Carmel forests. This is in accordance with the outline formulated by the Environmental Protection and Agriculture and Rural Development ministries. This is in addition to the $38 million allocated for the area’s restoration immediately following the four-day fire.
“Today, we are taking another significant step for the communities and the residents who were damaged and hurt in the Carmel wildfire. These are not statements but steps that are being taken on the ground, quickly and tangibly. I thank all those involved for acting professionally and for cooperating in order to meet this important goal,” Netanyahu said.
Some 42 people were killed, about 250 homes were destroyed or severely damaged, 17,000 people were forced to evacuate, more than 12,000 acres were burned and an estimated 5 million trees were lost in the early December blaze.
