Report on flood relief and budget amendments
28.09.2024
The Prime Minister convened a special cabinet meeting on Saturday to adopt amendments to the 2025 draft budget bill and discuss flood relief efforts. The heads of the State Fire Service, Police and the General Staff were also invited to attend the first part of the meeting, which was intended to be a briefing. During the second part, the Council of Ministers adopted amendments to the 2025 draft budget bill, which will provide funds for the restoration of flooded areas.
Coordinated measures and emergency assistance
The response of the government and authorities was staggering and all-encompassing, starting with the Fire Service and Police officers, as well as the military, which culminated with the establishment of a joint helicopter hub.
As far as rebuilding is concerned, we are still estimating the damage. Of course, we are still dealing with the most important thing of all - immediate damage, pumping out water and paying out the subsidies, but from what the voivodes told us yesterday, this is going on rapidly,
the Minister of the Interior and Administration noted.
Within the span of two weeks, nearly 37,000 families received subsidies, with more than 622 million PLN allocated for flood relief. The Minister assured that all measures are coordinated and the threat is under control, thanks to constant monitoring of the situation and ongoing cooperation between the authorities at all levels.
Nearly 200 reasons for cheer
Given the dramatic weather conditions, aviation played a key role in rescue operations, saving 199 people who were in immediate danger. Thanks to determined pilots and specialised rescue units, nearly 5,000 people were able to be evacuated from flood-prone areas. This is testament to the immense strength and effectiveness of the authorities, which always offer help and assistance even during the most difficult times.
It is good that the general public got to hear about the direct effect of the work of our pilots and their rescue operations - 199 people are alive only because these determined, brave people were on duty and ready to help all the time,
Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated.
The situation in the West Pomerania remains serious, with water exceeding emergency levels. We need to remain vigilant and cautious, as the flood surge not only impacts the embankments, but also requires extra precautions and coordination.
Due to the heavy rainfall, the Subcarpathian region requires special attention due to the terrain conditions. Local incidents can have serious consequences, which is why it is essential for the autorities to focus on monitoring the situation.
Government steps up to rebuild after floods
Minister Marcin Kierwiński, Government Plenipotentiary for the Reconstruction of Flooded Areas, shared the latest updates. The process of estimating the damage is ongoing and the figures are staggering even at this stage. As of today, 17,000 residential buildings and nearly 8,500 other structures were damaged by the floods. Some 1,150 public buildings were also on the list, including 141 schools and 41 bridges.
The voivodes, who are supported by the military, work on cleaning up the affected areas and restoring key infrastructure. This includes not only roads and bridges, but also power, water and water treatment facilities.
Given the extent of the damage caused by the flood, the government is pulling all the stops and focusing on getting things back to normal. Our priority is not only to clean up, but also to rebuild key infrastructure that is essential for local communities to live and function,
said the Government Plenipotentiary.
Given this enormous challenge, the government plans to set priorities in order to restore normalcy. Minister Kierwiński undertook to keep people updated on the situation and the progress of works. Immediately after his report, he went back to the affected areas.
Military disaster response
The Polish Armed Forces have been proactive in responding to the flooding since the first hours of the disaster. The relief operation involves 13,646 soldiers and 3,261 Territorial Defence Force members. The military is involved in rescue efforts and supporting local communities affected by the disaster.
The military has been carrying out all the tasks we have set out from the very beginning, starting as soon as the first reports arrived. Our troops focus on relief operations,
the Minister of Defence confirmed.
As part of Operation Phoenix, the military is also involved in cleaning up roads, disinfecting homes and delivering food to the affected areas. Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz noted the need to work with other institutions and to monitor flooded areas.
False alarms and their consequences
Since the start of the crisis, the government has been working closely with the police and prosecutor's office to ensure the safety of residents in the affected areas. The Prime Minister highlighted the threat of false alarms, which can distract the authorities from real threats.
This is just like calling with a false bomb alarm. Due to these things, others might be in real danger, because the Police, the Fire Service or the military will go somewhere they are not needed,
the Prime Minister stated.
Various conspiracy theories and disinformation also contribute, undermining trust in the state. Donald Tusk thanked the police and the prosecutors for their quick and effective actions, which sped up trials.
Supporting families and entrepreneurs
The government is introducing various forms of support for businesses and households affected by the floods. The subsidies include flood allowance - 8,000 PLN per household, along with 2,000 PLN for people experiencing a difficult situation.
The emergency aid was already provided to nearly 40,000 families in the Lower Silesian Voivodship. We are monitoring this process to ensure that support is disbursed efficiently and in accordance with simplified procedures,
said the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy.
With the so-called Flood Act, the government has also introduced a one-off benefit of 1,000 PLN for water damage mitigation.
The act also envisages renovation benefits for owners of damaged buildings, including commercial properties. Small business owners, such as hairdressers, can also apply for help. Detailed information is available on the special website.
Amendments to the 2025 draft budget bill - financial support for restoration
The Council of Ministers has adopted amendments to the 2025 draft budget bill in response to the disaster. The government is switching gears to help the affected populace, which is reflected in increasing the funds earmarked for counteracting the effects of natural disasters to 3.191 billion PLN.
The amendment proposal also includes an increase of 420.2 million PLN for housing, as well as 50 million PLN for research, underlining the government's commitment to the country's social and economic development.
Details of the amendment to the 2025 draft budget bill.
In addition, the government has recommended that the Parliament should cut the budgets of the Supreme Court, the National Broadcasting Council, the Institute of National Remembrance and the Office of the President by a total of 200 million PLN.
According to our analyses, the budgets of the Supreme Court, the National Broadcasting Council, the Institute of National Remembrance and the Office of the President could be reduced by at least 200 million PLN, which could be used to help those affected by the flood,
the Minister of Finance noted.
To date, the government has found 2 billion PLN in the 2024 budget for the time being without having to introduce any amendments. Analyses as to the need and possibility of finding more funds are ongoing.