Poland helps flood victims in Germany
26.07.2021
A rescue team with equipment to dry out flooded property is leaving for Germany. Provided by the Polish Government Agency for Strategic Reserves, the equipment will be transferred on 27 July to the authorities of North Rhine-Westphalia, a German state which was particularly badly affected in the recent flood. The dispatch from a Polish Government Agency for Strategic Reserves depot was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk and Vice-President of the Polish Government Agency for Strategic Reserves Przemysław Bryksa, as well as Sr. Capt. Brigade Commander Rafał Sołowin of the Polish State Fire Service.
“The Polish gene of solidarity makes us always willing to come to assistance. This time, we’re sending drying equipment from a depot of the Polish Government Agency for Strategic Reserves in Strzałkowo, which will arrive in North Rhine-Westphalia tomorrow. It will help our partners restore situation in the regions that were most badly hit by the tragic flooding,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk.
The deputy chief of Polish diplomacy added that the Poles remember all too well images from the flood of the millennium, which struck our country in 1997. He pointed to the spirit of solidarity, in which Poland wants to offer relief to Germany’s flood victims. He added that Poland fully understands the tragedy of our western neighbours, who lost 180 people in the flood, with thousands deprived of their property in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate.
“We believe that the provided equipment will speed up the process of repairing the damage caused by the flood as it will enable the residents of German towns and villages to return to their homes sooner and to deal with the trauma they experienced,” said Deputy Minister Szynkowski vel Sęk.
MFA Press Office
Photo: kpt. Piotr Zwarycz / Polish State Fire Service
