Due to floods in southwestern parts of Poland, the government is declaring a state of natural disaster in more counties. Where are they currently in effect and what can residents expect?
On Monday Council of Ministers adopted a regulation on introducing a state of natural disaster for 30 days in parts of the Lower Silesia, Opole and Silesian voivodeships. On Tuesday, the government expanded the territory covered by this state to include additional counties.
Which counties are affected by the state of natural disaster?
Counties and cities with county rights in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship affected by the state of natural disaster:
– Bolesławiec – Dzierżoniów – Jawor – Kamienna Góra – Karkonosze – Kłodzko – Legnica – Lubań – Lwówek – Świdnica – Wałbrzych – Ząbkowice – Wałbrzych – Jelenia Góra – Złotoryja
Counties in the Opole province affected by the state of natural disaster:
– Brzesko – Głubczyce – Kędzierzyn-Koźle – Krapkowice – Nysa – Opole – Prudnik
Counties and cities with county rights in the Silesian Voivodeship affected by a state of natural disaster:
– Bielsko – Cieszyn – Pszczyna – Racibórz – Bielsko-Biała
State of natural disaster in Poland (as of 20/09/2024)PAP/Maciej Zieliński
State of natural disaster – what is it?
A state of emergency is one of the three states of emergency provided for by the Constitution. It can be introduced “in situations of particular danger, if ordinary constitutional measures are insufficient”. Thus, according to art. 232 of the Constitution, “in order to prevent the effects of natural disasters or technical failures having the characteristics of a natural disaster and to remove them, the Council of Ministers may introduce for a specified period, no longer than 30 days, a state of emergency on part or on the entire territory of the country. This state may be extended with the consent of the Sejm”.
The introduction of a state of natural disaster allows for more efficient coordination of activities, faster removal of flood effects and better cooperation between services and institutions – we read on the gov.pl website.
State of natural disaster. What does it mean for residents
According to the Act on the State of Natural Disaster, the government introduces it by means of a regulation. It specifies the reasons, date of introduction and the area and duration of the state of natural disaster, as well as the types of necessary restrictions on freedom and human rights and citizens to the extent permitted by law.
In accordance with the government regulation of September 16 in areas affected by a state of natural disaster the necessary types of restrictions apply human and civil freedoms and rights, such as:
– an obligation to vacate or secure residential premises or other rooms; – an order to evacuate from specific places, areas and facilities at a specified time; – an order or prohibition to stay in specific places and facilities and in specific areas; – an order or prohibition to use a specific method of movement.
In addition, in accordance with the Act on the State of Natural Disaster, during this state other restrictions may also be introducedincluding rationing the supply of goods of a specific type, a ban on periodic price increases for goods or services of a specific type or an order to apply fixed prices, suspension of the activity of certain entrepreneurs, an obligation to undergo medical examinations, treatment or vaccinations, an order to provide personal and material services or compulsory demolition and demolition of buildings. However, these restrictions do not have to be introduced.
On Wednesday, during a meeting of the crisis team in Wrocław Prime Minister Donald Tusk saidthat he received “dramatic information that what the flood victims need most is significantly more expensive than it was before the flood”, therefore he will “ask the Minister of Finance to help me in accurately assessing whether it is necessary to use tools regarding prices”. – If necessary, the government will introduce official prices for some basic necessities. – emphasized Tusk. – I warn all those who speculate or try to make money on the flood and the human tragedy. We have legal tools related to states of emergency. And we will use these tools to force a return to pre-flood prices – he added.
Main image source: Maciej Kulczyński/PAP