ROME -- Italian prime minister, Matteo Renzi, and president, Sergio Mattarella, publicly show their support for earthquake evacuees and fully enforce the restoration of damaged buildings of great cultural heritage.

 “The strongest earthquake to hit Italy since 1980 has devastated the heart of our peninsula. This time, however, there have been no deaths, which comes as such a relief.  Yet, the cultural, religious, economic and residential damages have been significant. These affected villages and towns are part of Italian identity; we must restore them all, quickly and properly. We will do this because we -- all of us -- are Italy,” said Italian prime minister, Matteo Renzi, in his Enews newsletter.

 “The list of things to do is difficult but clear. First, make sure everyone is safe and secure (…) we cannot just have tents for long months in the mountains, under the snow. There are hotels and shelters for everyone. This first stage is one of emergency.

 After the emergency stage, we must think of the reconstruction and renovation of zones hit by the earthquake, controlled by the opinion of the public and all the citizens of the affected areas. We cannot waste a penny, and we must demonstrate who we are -- people who, despite past events, know how to carry out public works without waste and without thieves,” asserted the young Renzi.

 President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, said of the loss to Italian cultural patrimony, “we must absolutely defend and look after the territory.” When talking to journalists in Jerusalem, Mattarella said of the affected Italian citizens evacuated from their homes, “they have the right to live peacefully in their own houses. The state will be by their side in overcoming this difficult time. We express to all great solidarity and support.”

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