European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pledged EU-funded aid to help repair the damage caused by recent floods during her visit to Wroclaw, Poland on September 20, 2024. A massive wave of flooding has affected central Europe, resulting in at least 24 fatalities and extensive damage across countries including Romania and Poland.
Von der Leyen reassured the affected nations, stating, "Europe stands by your side. This is a moment of need, of disaster, and we all stand together to overcome the challenge." She was joined by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and leaders from Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovakia, all of whom represent countries severely impacted by the floods.
The EU plans to provide immediate financial assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund and an additional €10 billion from the Cohesion Fund for urgent repairs. Tusk emphasized that this funding would be crucial for both immediate relief and long-term reconstruction efforts in flood-affected areas.
In response to the disaster, the Polish government has allocated two billion zlotys (€468 million) from its budget for recovery efforts. Economists have noted that a similar flood in 1997 cost Poland between 78-90 billion zlotys (€18 billion).
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico described the EU's financial commitment as a "tremendous help" and highlighted the collaborative efforts of the affected countries in urging the European Commission for more flexible funding options prior to the meeting.
This swift response from the EU underscores the importance of solidarity among member states in the face of natural disasters.