Kłodzko is one of the flood-hit towns in the southwest of Poland, around 90 km south of Wrocław. The river Nysa Kłodzka runs through it.
On Tuesday 17 September, the Mayor of Kłodzko, Michał Piszko, gave an interview to the Polish daily Rzeczpospolita, giving clear insight in to the realities facing the disaster-struck town.
The local townspeople are currently living with relatives or in the local swimming pool and a primary school both of which have been converted into shelters.
Piszko expressed considerable gratitude at the support coming from various directions to the town, as well as detailing what is most needed at present:
The support we have received has been very good. I am grateful to all the individual people of good will, but also the other local governments who have been supporting us. That is the Warsaw City Council but also many many others. I'm not able to list everyone. For the time being, we still need basic things like drinking water, cleaning products, food with longer best-before dates, for example conserved foods, packet soups, that kind of thing.
For the long term, Piszko estimates that the rebuilding will take around 5 years if the funds are available and if the tender processes for subcontractors will be simplified. As we have reported, the government has guaranteed several sources of support for local governments and local inhabitants.
Sources: Rzeczpospolita, PAP
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