It will enable specialist organisations of the United Nations and non-governmental organisations to provide emergency health cover as well as carrying out distribution of winter clothing for children. The European Commission has approved humanitarian aid worth a total of ECU 10 million for regions of Poland and the Czech Republic that suffered catastrophic floods last summer. ECU 6.95 million for Poland and ECU 3.05 million for the Czech Republic. Over 100 people died in the worst flood disaster ever to hit the region. Well over 20 million people were affected by it, and the damage to property, infrastructure and agricultural land was immense.
Many homes are still uninhabitable.
Buildings that did not dry out before winter frosts are likely to suffer further damage as they crack in the cold. ECHO's priority is to get repairs carried out to public buildings such as old people's homes, schools and health centres, as well as homes. ECU 4.1 million granted in the immediate aftermath last year. Separately, the Commission's Phare programme earmarked a total of ECU 64.6 million for a Flood Damage Reconstruction Programme. The European Commission has cleared humanitarian aid worth ECU 525,000 for victims of the recent earthquake in China.