Brussels, updated 18 September 2024: Several countries across Europe are currently experiencing or experienced flood disasters.

In Czech Republic, our colleagues are assessing the situation and are offering assistance.

To support the response, you can donate here SOS ADRA: FLOODS CZECH REPUBLIC 2024 | Darujme.cz

What are we doing now, and what can you do? This was summarized in interviews by emergency assistance coordinator Josef Koláček: “I would recommend to everyone who wants to help in the affected areas to get in touch with the non-profit organizations that are coordinating volunteers. This is because mayors often have their hands full with infrastructure and other important tasks, and direct requests for help can unnecessarily burden them. It’s better to register through the forms provided by the non-profit organizations. This way, the aid is better organized, and we can offer volunteers support, such as accommodation in emergency gymnasiums. We also offer volunteers insurance in case of injury or damage.

The humanitarian aid phase is just beginning. Until yesterday, evacuations were still taking place, and water levels were either peaking or are yet to peak. In the upper streams, work will begin today or tomorrow, but in the lower streams, especially in the Moravian-Silesian Region, we expect the water to recede for a while longer. Once again, I would ask volunteers to follow information websites and social media from regional offices, the Fire Rescue Service, and non-profit organizations.

The most help will be needed with clearing out debris, but also with tasks like cleaning up around homes or gardens, which will be relevant in 14 days to three weeks. This will be just as important as the most urgent phase. Volunteers can help seniors and other vulnerable groups who cannot manage the repairs around their homes on their own. This assistance may be long-term.

As ADRA, we are involved in the South Bohemian Region and have some minor activities in the Liberec Region, where the situation is gradually stabilizing. We are currently providing the most support in the Moravian-Silesian Region, where we have the largest number of volunteer centers and branches. We are also preparing to assist in the Olomouc Region, specifically in the Jeseník area, where we have helped multiple times in the past.

Non-profit organizations and representatives of the Fire Rescue Service are regularly meeting, both at the national level and within individual regions. We have an agreement to divide the affected areas based on the number of impacted municipalities and the capacities of each organization. If volunteers are lacking in one area, we will relocate them from other areas.”

In Hungary, ADRA Hungary is on the hotspot! The Country Director Zoltan Sitkei reports he is at Százhalombatta, next to the river Danube, and on 18th September he instructed the local sandbag dam building.

In Austria, ADRA on 16th September swiftly decided to support a voluntary local firebrigade – the heroes in this situation – with a rescue rubber boat to rescue and evacuate trapped people. Here you find a full report: https://adra.at/hochwasser-oesterreich-osteuropa/ Other relief initiatives are in preparation.

In Romania, ADRA Romania is intervening swiftly to support victims of Cyclone Boris. Together with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, ADRA stands in solidarity with families devastated by floods. ADRA Romania is mobilizing quickly to intervene in these affected communities, providing emergency aid, including basic foodstuffs, hygiene products, drinking water, pumps for water evacuation and generators. Our volunteer teams are on the ground to distribute these resources and provide moral support to those affected.

Cyclone Boris caused devastating floods in the counties of Galați, Vaslui and Bacău, leaving behind significant damage, especially in Galați where 12 localities: Pechea, Drăgușeni, Grivița, Costache Negri, Berești, Slobozia Conachi, Cuza Vodă, Cudalbi, Corod, Tudor Vladimirescu, Băneasa and Vameș, were severely affected. More than 5,000 households were destroyed, 4 people lost their lives and more than 250 people were evacuated, according to data provided by the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (I.G.S.U.).

ADRA Romania is mobilizing quickly to intervene in these affected communities, providing emergency aid, including basic foodstuffs, hygiene products, drinking water, pumps for water evacuation and generators. Our volunteer teams are on the ground to distribute these resources and provide moral support to those affected.

Those who wish to get involved can do so in the following ways:

• volunteering;
• material donations (food, hygiene and cleaning products as well as building materials);
• financial donations into ADRA’s accounts (marked “Hope above the waters”);
• by donating directly on the website adra.ro/donate to the project “Hope above the waters”;
• donating right now 2 Euro by SMS to 8845 with the text “ADRA” (if you are in Romania)

ADRA Poland reports:

📣 The flood in Poland has not yet reached its peak❗ The ongoing battle against the element is taking a heavy toll, not only destroying people’s lifetime possessions but also threatening the lives and health of residents.

🫶 Join our fundraiser and help the flood victims:
🔸 https://www.siepomaga.pl/adra-powodz
🔸 https://www.adra.pl/jak-moge-pomoc/przekaz-darowizne/ (Include in the transfer description: Help for flood victims)

📌 The most at-risk areas remain in Opole and Lower Silesia. Urgent evacuations have been organized.
➡️ In the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, the highest alarm levels have been exceeded on the Oder and Nysa Kłodzka rivers.
➡️ Wrocław is preparing for the largest wave, expected on Thursday. According to city officials, a wave over six meters high, with a flow rate of 2,100-2,300 cubic meters per second, is expected to pass through Wrocław.
➡️ A difficult situation in Brzeg. The flood wave on the Oder has arrived, and evacuations are underway.
➡️ Opole expects the flood peak this evening. While the water is not expected to breach the levees, the highest alarm level is in place.
➡️ Lewin Brzeski has been cut off from the world. All roads leading to the town are flooded, and there is no power or phone service in Lewin itself.
😢 These are just a few of the tragic reports we’ve received. Unfortunately, hundreds, if not thousands, of cities, towns, and villages in southern Poland are fighting the floodwaters.

‼️ Our foundation has launched a fundraiser, and the funds raised will be used to help the flood victims. We hope that the aid we provide will restore even a small flame of hope.

💓 We thank all DONORS who have supported our fundraiser so far. Thank you for your generosity!

🔸 You can also make a traditional bank transfer to our account:

• PLN: 49 1240 1994 1111 0010 3092 3882
• USD: 22 1240 1994 1787 0010 3154 6385
• EUR: 58 1240 1994 1978 0010 3154 6372
• GBP: 64 1240 1994 1789 0010 3154 6402
• CHF: 42 1240 1994 1797 0010 3154 6398

Foundation details:
Fundacja ADRA Polska
ul. Kamieniecka 15
50-511 Wrocław