Aid and assistance

According to predictions of the European Environment Agency, natural disasters like recent heavy floods in the Czech republic, Slovakia, Germany, Austria and Hungary will most probably grow in number in the next years, due to several reasons including the climate changes. A recent wave of water from big rivers overflowing their banks has claimed at least 14 lives – eleven people have died in the Czech republic, two in Austria and at least one in Germany, not to mention immense material damages and hundreds of people left practically without shelter. But also in this difficult situation, various institutions have put their hands together to find the most effective way to cope with consequences of massive floods, including organizations run by the Church.Caritas in the first line. In the Czech republic, the national office of Caritas was in the first line helping in the most affected areas around rivers of Elbe and Vltava. “We are following the situation and are prepared to help all those who find themselves in a difficult life situation”, said Lukás Curylo, director of Caritas, during the hardest period at the beginning of June, assuring the nation that all 340 local offices of this institution have available humanitarian aid including dryers, water exhausters and pumps, as well as a net of consulting services and teams of psychologists. The amount of money collected by Caritas Czech republic to help the victims of the floods in several regions of the country has reached 3 million CZK (120,000 €). Element of solidarity. Whole nations have shown solidarity with people affected by rivers overflowing their banks and destroying lives and properties. “Those people may have looked all right on TV but in a direct contact with them we could see that they were desperate, that they didn’t want to speak to anyone, not even to their neighbours or relatives, which means that they were not and still aren’t able to cope with this difficult situation”, says Jitka Chvílová from the psycho-social consulting team of Caritas, adding that the victims needed spiritual and psychical help as much as that of material kind. In this regard, the diocesan office of Caritas in Litomerice has opened a crisis nonstop telephone line served by Catholic priests where people could find spiritual support and advice. “I am really sorry for those who have been affected by floods but after a while, when the damages are gradually repaired, the pain will transform into something new and positive”, says bishop Pavel Posád, president of Caritas Czech republic, assuring people of constant prayers and fast distribution of aid and financial support to the most affected areas.Appreciation of bishops. The Czech bishops’ conference was impressed by a good cooperation and effective help offered by state and private institutions to the victims of floods. The prelates have issued an official message of gratitude to all those who “actively participated in help and service for the people affected by floods”, especially to Caritas Czech republic that was able to “address the natural disaster quickly and rationally”. Thousands of families have had their homes damaged, flood has taken away many things that were close to their hearts and has caused sleepless nights, reads the message, but at the same time this situation has shown that we are not absolutely defenceless face to face with water. “Our appreciation goes to all elements of integrated rescue service, representatives of state and municipalities, as well as to number of volunteers and non-profit organizations which have done their utmost to regain control”, conclude the bishops.Helping hands. Several cities in Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary have experienced the highest recorded historic flood levels, for example the centre of Passau, where the Danube, Inn and Ilz converge, the water reached 12.85 m, in Bratislava the Danube peaked with a record volumetric flow rate of 10.530m3/s. National offices of Caritas in the countries of Central Europe were helping not only financially and by providing material help, but also manually at the most affected places. “Our employees and volunteers have helped in dozens of flooded houses in the Devín area. They were removing drifts of mud, damaged furniture, trying to save useful things and clean flooded houses”, says Radovan Gumulák, secretary general of Caritas Slovakia, expressing hope that in the following days the worst problems will be rectified and people will be able to gradually return to their normal lives not only in Slovakia but also in other countries of Europe.