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Poland plans to spend billions on flood recovery

07.10.2024 18:40
Poland will allocate up to PLN 23 billion (over EUR 5.3 billion) for the recovery of regions affected by last month’s floods, the newly appointed government commissioner for flood recovery, Marcin Kierwiński, has announced.
The Polish governments representative for flood recovery, Marcin Kierwiński, and Sports and Tourism Minister Sławomir Nitras speak to reporters during a news conference in Prudnik, southwestern Poland, on Monday, October 7, 2024.
The Polish government's representative for flood recovery, Marcin Kierwiński, and Sports and Tourism Minister Sławomir Nitras speak to reporters during a news conference in Prudnik, southwestern Poland, on Monday, October 7, 2024.Photo: Krzysztof Świderski/PAP

During a press conference in the southern town of Prudnik on Monday, Kierwiński and Sports and Tourism Minister Sławomir Nitras outlined the government's initiatives for rebuilding infrastructure damaged by floodwaters.

Funding will come from the national budget as well as European funds, they said.

Kierwiński told reporters that the restored infrastructure must be of a higher standard than before the floods.

Nitras said that he has approximately PLN 400 million in his ministry's budget for rebuilding sports facilities.

A compensation system providing PLN 10,000 to flood victims is already operational, the two government ministers said, and municipalities facing challenges with housing for those affected are receiving modular homes.

Kierwiński announced the launch of an application to report damage to public infrastructure, with the assessment process expected to continue over the coming weeks.

Nitras told the news conference that sports facilities in flood-affected areas will be rebuilt, and his ministry will cover 99 percent of the costs for these projects, while also promoting regional tourism attractions.

(mp/gs)

Source: IAR/PAP/X/@MKierwinski/@KPRM_CIR