Poland: Church rushes aid to flood zones

Source: Polish Catholic Bishops Conference/Caritas Polska

Torrential rains brought by Storm Boris have caused massive floods in parts of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia in the past four days, submerging entire neighbourhoods and forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate.

Seven people are known to have died in Romania, four in Poland, four in Austria and three in the Czech Republic, according to officials. Several more people are missing. Church organisations in all affected countries are working round the clock with the authorities to assist flood victims.

The Chair of the Polish Bishops Conference, Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda SAC, assured all those affected of his prayers and practical support. Writing on social media he said: "I am spiritually united with all those affected by the flood in the southern part of our country. I am also praying for those providing help and I appeal to people of good will for the necessary support for the victims and victims of the element."

Bishops from the flood-stricken areas also expressed their support and assurances of help and solidarity to the flood victims. Bishop Andrzej Czaja of Opole, assured flood victims of church support. "I want to tell you once again that we are with you and I assure you that we will support you: with prayer, with the help that we organize, and with the funds that we will collect," he said in a message to the flood victims. He said the crisis team of the Opole diocese were meeting, and asking parish priests to report their needs. Reminding all that faith without works is dead, he appealed for everyone's involvement in helping the flood victims.

"I express my heartfelt unity with all those affected by the flood. In a special way, I surround with prayers those who have lost their life's work. I thank the people and institutions that are so selflessly involved in protecting the local community from new threats," wrote Marek Mendyk, Bishop of Świdnica. He also asked pastors and the faithful for help in organizing support for the victims.

Caritas Polska and local Caritas groups from the dioceses of Opole, Świdnica, Bielsko-Żywiec, Legnica are working with local government crisis management teams in the flooded areas.

Caritas Polska has transferred the first funds to help the flood victims. The Archdiocese of Kraków, has already transferred half a million złoty to the appeal.

LINKS

Polish Catholic Bishops Conference: https://episkopat.pl/

Caritas Poland: https://caritas.pl/blog/2024/09/15/pilne-powodz-w-polsce-caritas-polska-uruchamia-ogolnop