Austria: a network of aid” “

In Austria, August’s floods caused incalculable damage. Aid organisations, religious and non-religious, have formed a single network to distribute the funds collected via Austrian radio and television (ORF). Since the first days of the catastrophe, Card. Christoph Schönborn , president of the Austrian Episcopal Conference and archbishop of Vienna, has released numerous declarations expressing his own closeness to the victims and his sense of “profound dismay” (13 August). The cardinal has also made appeals for solidarity and observed that there have been “impressive examples of love for others” (19 August). Schönborn also expressed his hope for a change, not only “in our attitude towards the environment, but also in our way of considering life: it is foolish to think we have everything under control” he declared on 22 August. We interviewed Franz Küberl , president of Austrian Caritas, for an update on the aid situation for victims of the disaster. What is the present situation? “The great flood is over and in many areas reorganisation and the removal of mud is underway. Roads are being repaired and the railway lines have already been put back into operation. In many houses, the water has been removed and now they must be dried out; in many of them first the flood and then humidity have destroyed nearly everything”. Have you noted a drop in public interest? “Obviously the emergency has passed and life is getting back to normal, but great suffering remains. Many new problems are now arising such as, for example, the fact that hundreds of families do not want to rebuild their houses in the areas hit by the disaster. There is also much discussion about security, how to protect against floods and so on”. What have you been able to do thus far? “Caritas has helped in various ways: immediate aid in the form of money, clothes, furniture and domestic appliances; provision of experts to give psychological support to the victims. Many people’s entire world has been destroyed; it is necessary to rebuild the spirit as well as houses, and I am afraid that a long time will be needed. For many people, their whole life was carried away by the floods. Together with other bodies, we give our help, and thanks to the activity promoted by ORF, considerable funds have been collected.”. Help has been given by Austrian Caritas together with other aid organisations. How do you view this shared experience? “In terms of the magnitude of aid, this was a first. However, it should be remembered that ten years ago ORF, the Red Cross and Caritas promoted united action in favour of the people of the Balkans. I feel that in catastrophes such as this, it is important for people to see that organisations also unite in order to act together in the face of the emergency. Many people really have given their hearts. We also noted how a lot of people found it difficult to accept the donations. We have become accustomed to looking after ourselves and to procuring our needs alone, now suddenly we depend upon others. The situation has to be handled with delicacy; it is easier to have the aid accepted when so many people have donated from the heart”. How do you intend to continue with the reconstruction work? “We have divided aid into three phases: Firstly, immediate help to families. Now we are at the second phase of help in primary necessities, buying domestic appliances for which there is immediate need. Finally, there is a third phase which will begin in about two weeks with more consistent aid for the reconstruction of buildings, and for buying furniture or materials to repair houses and electrical wiring. The aid will be distributed on the basis of the damage as assessed by special government commissions”. M.S.