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PM Tusk announces comprehensive aid for flood victims in Poland

16.09.2024 14:00
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has pledged extensive support for those affected by the flooding in southern Poland.
Wrocław, September 16, 2024. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (right), and Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, and Coordinator of Special Services Tomasz Siemoniak (left) during a crisis management meeting in Wrocław, southwestern Poland.
Wrocław, September 16, 2024. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (right), and Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, and Coordinator of Special Services Tomasz Siemoniak (left) during a crisis management meeting in Wrocław, southwestern Poland.(sko) PAP/Maciej Kulczyński

Financial assistance from the national budget and local government funds will be provided to flood victims.

Tusk revealed that, according to the finance minister, the Polish government has allocated a reserve of one billion PLN (approximately 230 million EUR) to support flood-affected areas and their residents.

Flood-affected individuals in Poland to receive up to 10,000 PLN (€2,300) in aid

Additionally, starting today, each flood-affected individual will be eligible for emergency one-time assistance of eight thousand PLN (more than 1,800 EUR), with an additional two thousand PLN in flood relief benefits. Applications for this aid must be submitted at the local municipal office (previously, emergency aid in such situations was six thousand PLN, or approximately 1,400 EUR).

Flood victims in Poland can expect 8,000 PLN in social assistance and 2,000 PLN in flood relief benefits, totaling 10,000 PLN (over 2,300 EUR), according to the Prime Minister's Office.

Simple application and generous aid for flood recovery announced

The Prime Minister assured that the application process would be simple, requiring "only two signatures," and pledged swift processing of documents. Officials are instructed to handle cases "with empathy and understanding" to ensure no one is left to manage the aftermath of the flood or repair damaged property alone.

Victims will also have access to up to 100 thousand PLN (23,4 thousand EUR) for the repair of agricultural buildings and up to 200 thousand PLN (46,8 thousand EUR) for the reconstruction of residential properties.

Donald Tusk announced on Monday that he will speak with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen around 5 p.m. about an aid mechanism for flood-affected countries in Europe. Prior to that, he will have a brief conversation with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Earlier, the Polish government declared a 30-day state of natural disaster due to the flooding mainly in southwestern and southern parts of the counrty.

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Source: IAR/PAP/KPRP

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