- Federal Councilor Viola Amherd visited La Chaux-de-Fonds.
- She got an idea of the damage caused by the storm on site.
- Army specialists are currently securing the roofs of the city.
During her visit, the head of the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) was able to find out more about the civil and military aid measures set up by the city and canton. At the same time, she was able to follow the army’s operations directly on site, as the DDPS wrote in a statement on Tuesday.
The army ensured a safe start to school
Since August 2, around 80 members of the Army’s Disaster Relief Preparedness Battalion, Panzersapper Battalion 11 and the Army’s Mountain Service Competence Center in La Chaux-de-Fonds have helped deal with the storm damage.
Legend:
Federal Councilor Viola Amherd on a lifting platform in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
KEYSTONE/Laurent Gillieron
They have been conducting safety work in public parks near schools to prevent debris from falling or unstable trees from falling in anticipation of the start of school.
Legend:
Federal Councilor Viola Amherd on a lifting platform in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Army specialists are currently securing the roofs of the city.
KEYSTONE POOL/Laurent Gillieron
At the request of the Canton of Neuchâtel, the specialists from the Army’s Mountain Service Competence Center, who are supported by a team of drone operators from the Disaster Relief Preparedness Battalion, will continue their mission until August 23. The members of the army from the Disaster Relief Preparedness Battalion and the Panzersapper Battalion 11 have since been relieved of their duties.
Also the civil defense in action
In addition to the army, civil defense is also deployed on site. More than 100 civil protection officers were deployed to help the affected population and to support the various civil protection partners.
Legend:
Federal Councilor Viola Amherd is being prepared to use the lifting platform.
KEYSTONE/Laurent Gillieron
The city of La Chaux-de-Fonds was hit by severe storms on July 24. The storm claimed one fatality and injured 40. Almost two thirds of the building structure was damaged. The total damage is estimated at around CHF 90 million.
Swiss Solidarity also supports the most affected people with 200,000 francs, as announced on Tuesday. In the event of natural disasters in Switzerland, their assistance is subsidiary to services provided by the public sector, insurance companies and other institutions.
Legend:
Federal Councilor Viola Amherd visits La Chaux-de-Fonds – despite a broken elbow.
KEYSTONE/Laurent Gillieron