Belgian Red Cross-Flanders Releases €200,000 from Emergency Relief Fund for victims of Storm Boris in Central and Eastern Europe

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is immediately releasing €200,000 from the Emergency Relief Fund to provide assistance to victims of the severe flooding caused by Storm Boris in Central and Eastern Europe. Since last weekend, the storm has caused extensive damage in several countries. Many people have been affected and, unfortunately, there have been fatalities. Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is closely monitoring the situation and will evaluate each request for help from the affected countries to provide support where necessary.

200,000 euros from Emergency Relief Fund

Financial support will be divided equally between Romania, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland, with each country receiving €50,000. Red Cross Societies in these countries already launched an appeal for support. The funds will be used for the shelter and psychosocial support of victims, the distribution of relief items such as food, blankets, beds and hygienic materials and cash to support affected families to get through this period.

Red Cross assistance in affected areas

Intensive assistance is already being provided by local Red Cross branches in the hard-hit countries. The Austrian Red Cross is actively engaged in evacuations and medical assistance to victims. Emergency shelter facilities have already been set up in Lower Austria (Langenlois) and the "Team Austria" network of 110,000 volunteers is ready to be deployed. Romanian Red Cross volunteers already distributed 20 tons of drinking water, food and fruit in the Galati region, with further distribution depending on access. The Polish Red Cross is supporting evacuations, organizing shelters and distributing relief supplies.

In the Czech Republic, the local Red Cross assists with evacuations, distribution of relief supplies and building protection from the water. In other affected countries, such as Hungary, Slovakia and Germany, emergency response teams are on standby and assist in preventive actions. All national departments involved work closely with the national, regional and local authorities to coordinate and streamline relief efforts as much as possible. 

Warm call

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders makes a warm appeal to everyone who wants to support the victims of this natural disaster. You can make a donation to the account number BE53 0000 0000 5353 stating 'Storm Boris'. Every donation helps to provide the victims on the spot with the necessary help.