The mayor of Ronda, Mari Paz Fernández, received the Villa Medal of Grazalema on Friday night. This award recognizes the aid provided by the city of Ronda to the residents of Grazalema, who had to abandon their homes due to severe storms earlier in the year.
The City Council of Ronda, coordinated by Fernández and with broad citizen involvement, set up a system that accommodated approximately 600 residents from Grazalema for 11 days. The Sports Pavilion of El Fuerte was designated as an attention center, offering daily meals, clothing services, and health and psychological support, demonstrating a significant wave of solidarity.
The presentation of the medal took place in Plaza de España in Grazalema, coinciding with the start of its main Fiestas Mayores. The Grazalema City Council highlighted Ronda's "generosity, coordination, and capacity to respond during the emergency," as well as its "cooperation and support," emphasizing "planning, anticipation, and rapid intervention" as key to the town's safety.
“"In the sports center, there was a great united family, precious moments were shared; from a catastrophe, the best of us emerged, because that is what being true neighbors means, building a just society. You are a great town. We have been an example of solidarity, of overcoming adversity. In my years as mayor, this has been the best thing I have done in my political life: opening the city to those in need; you have been an example for us, of resilience and life."
In addition to Ronda, Grazalema also honored Zahara de la Sierra for its assistance. The Emergency Agency of Andalusia (EMA), part of the Regional Government of Andalusia, was also recognized. The first vice-president of the Junta and counselor of the Presidency, Health, and Emergencies, Antonio Sanz, attended the event, along with other authorities.
The City Council of Grazalema also presented Mentions of Honor to the Guardia Civil, the Military Emergencies Unit (UME), Firefighters, Red Cross, SVA, Infoca, 061, the Local Police of Grazalema, Civil Protection of Grazalema, the company Aguas de la Sierra de Cádiz, the IGME, GAVE, and the city councils of Montecorto, Algodonales, Montejaque, and El Gastor, as well as local volunteers.
The mayor of Ronda, accompanied by the Councilor for Tourism and Economy, Ángel Martínez, expressed her gratitude and emotion on behalf of her city for this recognition, which adds to others that have highlighted the city's solidarity.
This ceremony took place one day after the mayor of Grazalema, Carlos García, signed the Proclamation for the Feria and Fiestas de Pedro Romero in Ronda, in an emotional event focused on gratitude for the help provided to the people of Cadiz.
