Floods in Wallonia

One year ago, severe flooding ravaged large areas of (mostly) Wallonia. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the many victims who are still facing the consequences of this disaster today. The enormous material damage and human suffering also triggered an unprecedented wave of solidarity. From the efforts of volunteers, to financial support through the 2525 account, to the many civic initiatives that were taken: we look back with great gratitude.

But what exactly was realized last year thanks to the help of these initiatives and collected funds? You can read it on the website of Croix-Rouge de Belgique.

The role of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders

We sometimes get questions about Belgian Red Cross-Flanders 's role in this disaster. We would like to clarify this. As the disaster occurred almost entirely on Walloon territory, it is Croix Rouge de Belgique (CRB for short, and thus the Red Cross organization responsible for the French-speaking part of the country) which, in consultation with the local partners (authorities, CPAS, defense, etc.), coordinates and directs the operations and decides how the financial donations from the 2525 account will be used.

Together with the CRB , we launched the solidarity action Help Helps . With incredible results: 14,000 crisis volunteers signed up on the crisis volunteer platform and €40 million in donations were received. Belgian Red Cross-Flanders , at the request of the CRB, has been active with several teams in the disaster area from the beginning, until the end of August 2021. We also quickly ensured that the crisis volunteer platform was translated into French and trained our CRB colleagues to use it themselves. The calling and management of the crisis volunteers has since been done by the CRB.

The CRB can call on the efforts of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders at any time, on a single request. We are still at the ready.

Activities and spending by Croix-Rouge de Belgique.

An overview of the CRB's activities and the press releases they have already sent out about them can be found here: Inondations Archives - Croix-Rouge de Belgique and Croix-Rouge de Belgique - Ensemble, luttons contre les vulnérabilités.

With regard to the expenditure of financial gifts, we have reached some agreements in principle with our colleagues at the CRB. These are:

• All donations will be spent to benefit the victims and fight this flood disaster.
• Transparency is very important. Therefore, the expenditures will be part of a specific report (audit) prepared by an external party that will be shared with the public.
• Regular updates on the status of donations will follow via press releases and the CRB website.

It is evident that if there are ambiguities or misunderstandings they should be explained transparently.

Here is the most recent update on the spending of the 2525 gifts: Inondations transparence Croix Rouge de Belgique.

Plan of action presented on Aug. 17

On August 17, Croix Rouge de Belgique - which thus assumes full coordination and implementation of the aid actions - presented a plan of action and indicated where the money from the solidarity action 2525 will be spent. Below are the elements of this action plan for the next eight months:

2.3 million was initially spent on immediate relief items such as food, blankets, camp beds, electrical appliances, first aid supplies and hygiene kits. For the next eight months, CRB has developed a plan where the focus will be on the most vulnerable victims in all affected municipalities and the nine municipalities most affected.

The plan consists of five major projects. First, 10 million euros will go directly to the most vulnerable victims in all affected municipalities. This is estimated to involve 10,000 people.

Second, 10 million will go to local projects in the nine hardest hit municipalities. CRB will work with the municipalities and offer a number of options according to the needs that are different in each municipality. 

A third major project is food aid. 5 million will be allocated for this. It will be distributed in cooperation with the Belgian army. 5 million will also go to temporary housing. According to the analysis, ten reception centers are needed. There are currently already four, in Verviers, Banneaux, Esneux and Liège. 

Finally, 2 million goes to help return to school for some 8,000 primary and secondary school students in the affected area. That amount will be used to purchase school supplies and provide midday meals.

In addition to the five major projects, CRB is also allocating 1.5 million euros for basic aid such as first aid materials, folding beds, blankets, pharmaceuticals and hygiene products. Another 1.5 million will be spent on psychosocial support, transportation and logistics.

Updates from the field

Until the end of August, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders was there every day to do its part. Would you like to know more about how that went? Then check out our updates below!

Food parcels in Trooz

Our citizen volunteers sort food items for food parcels in Trooz.

Report of a crisis volunteer

Following the immense water damage in the Liège region, one of our volunteers went to roll up his sleeves with our Walloon compatriots. We share here some of his impressions and photos. "A few weeks after the flood in Liege, I had the opportunity, as an aid worker from Belgian Red Cross-Flanders , to go with them to the affected area to provide medical assistance to the people in the village who were busy making their homes somewhat livable again. Around 8h45 we arrived at the department of our Walloon colleagues Croix Rouge de Belgique - Centre de Secours de Blegny and we were all very kindly and warmly welcomed with a strong coffee and a cake. All teams on site were assigned a village to go and provide medical and psychological assistance throughout the day. I myself was allowed to post in Nessonvaux, a borough of Trooz. Everywhere we went, we saw what a destructive force the Vesdre had become and what mud pool the river had left everywhere. And everywhere there was a penetrating smell of the dirty water, diesel,.... On our path we saw streets normally 3 meters wide that were reduced to one meter wide, a painting that was swept away and when the water subsided it was stuck somewhere, car wrecks here and there.... Here and there we were stopped by residents who were busy cleaning up the last items of their homes and had suffered minor injuries in the process. But even though the residents had lost almost everything, our presence was visibly appreciated. We were thanked on all sides for the medical help, but also for the psychological help...the conversations they had with us, they could let their hearts out,... One resident even offered us a brochette straight from his BBQ. There was an enormous solidarity. Even among the younger generations. After a few more cares, we left the village with great impressions but still a good feeling."
Thanks to our volunteer Kenneth Van Damme for the comprehensive report and photos. 

Red Cross-Ghent

Our Red Cross-Ghent volunteers went to the south of the country to offer medical assistance to those affected in the disaster area.

Once there, they were heavily impressed by the magnitude of this disaster.

Report volunteer Jan Standaert on VRT NWS

Check out the report of our volunteer Jan Standaert who was on site in Nessonvaux for 12 days :

Briefing of citizen volunteers

Deploying hundreds of civilian volunteers a day requires solid organization. For example, the civilian volunteers first receive a briefing before they start work, where we give information about the tasks, among other things, but where we also pay attention to everyone's safety. On site, it is our experienced volunteers who support the citizen volunteers. The help we provide is tailored to the locals who tell us what they need, as it varies from day to day.

Food Distribution

One of the most essential tasks Belgian Red Cross-Flanders helps with is food distribution. Thousands of people are still without electricity and gas, which makes it impossible for them to prepare (hot) food. For example, we are present in hard-hit Trooz to go door to door and distribute food.

Psychosocial support

There are not only material needs, we must not lose sight of psychosocial support. The lives of the victims have been turned completely upside down. That is why our SIS team is present. Residents can call on them, as can our volunteers.

Planning

This disaster is unseen in Belgium. Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is doing everything possible to plan well. Our volunteers monitor every day and see how things are going and what could be improved. Every day we make adjustments. No crisis is the same, so we learn every day.

Medical assistance

Our medical teams are present and visit the residents so that they don't have to seek help themselves. In that area, too, we try to support the victims as best we can by taking care of small wounds, for example, to prevent worse. 

Polishing products

(Citizen) volunteers also already helped with debris clearing, cleaning and distributing necessary products such as flashlights or hygiene kits. After clearing debris, there is still a lot of cleaning to do. We help with cleaning, if the residents ask us to, or we provide cleaning supplies that the locals can do themselves.

Distributing materials and working in the houses

A team of (civilian) volunteers from Red Cross West Flanders has been busy distributing materials purchased by Belgian Red Cross-Flanders. They then set out to work in homes. 

Provide assistance

Our team from Antwerp provides assistance in every way possible in Pepinster, Trooz, Chênée and Chaudfontaine to assist Croix Rouge de Belgique.

Cleanup work

Department of Dilsen-Stokkem-Maaseik was at work last Friday clearing and clearing debris in Fraipont and Goffontaine.

Volunteers from Oostkamp also left for Trooz to help: food distribution, clean up, debris removal and cleaning.... In Trooz, our volunteers distributed midday and evening meals. We also brought urgent needs such as children's products, cat litter, dog food.... to homes. We also provided a listening ear for those who could use it. This is how we help! 

Water distribution

Potable water also remains desperately needed in the affected areas: that is why our volunteers continue their efforts in water distribution.