Tusk to officials with “a remark that may spoil the mood of some”

The head of government discussed aid measures during Wednesday's meeting of the flood crisis team.

– Maybe instead of a summary, a comment that might spoil the mood of some people – said the Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the end of the meeting of the crisis team established due to the floods in south-eastern Poland.

– Because we decided to give people this money as quickly as possible and without any procedural problems and difficulties, I'm talking about the ten thousand and then the money for renovation and reconstruction. He who gives quickly, gives twice, especially in crisis situations, you know that very well – he addressed the officials.

The Prime Minister noted that “I am receiving signals that in some offices these procedures are again becoming a barrier for people.”

– Some officials require data that is not needed. I do not know why they collect information about the earnings of those who come. After all, they are not coming to the tax office, they are coming for help related to the destruction of their apartment – said the prime minister. – We worked on making these forms very simple, so that this help would reach them as quickly as possible – emphasized the head of government.

The Prime Minister, referring to his earlier statement, emphasized that “after all, when this most difficult period is over, we will be able to check whether the money went to the right people.”

– If there are any abuses, that someone took money and their apartment was not damaged, we will find it. At the moment, the task of all officials responsible for managing these aid funds is to make people's lives easier, not harder. So the duty of everyone on this side of the official desk is to help people fill out the form as quickly and easily as possible and to provide assistance as quickly as possible. And not to create difficulties – he emphasized.

– I kindly ask you all to take this to heart. We will monitor the work of the officials who are responsible for this, but I think a little empathy is enough to understand that people are coming for quick help, not for some bureaucratic torment – emphasized the head of government.

He also added that he hoped that after his appeal there would be no more such information in the coming days.

– I hope that from tomorrow there will be no more signals that someone is demanding information from the victims that is absolutely not needed when it comes to providing quick help. And I also ask the governors here to get involved together with local government officials so that this instruction reaches all heads, so to speak. I don't want to use stronger words – he concluded.

Another problem he mentioned is the spread of disinformation. “Fortunately, we have no signals of possible sabotage,” he said.

He said he would still be talking to the ABW on Wednesday “to ensure that where we are dealing with bad will, that is, with an obvious crime, because this is a crime – deliberate disinformation, to disorganize our aid work – to act quickly and effectively.”