On Tuesday, the first convoy with aid for flood victims set off from Warsaw. The basic necessities collected at the collections will reach Lądek-Zdrój, Nysa and Kłodzko. On Wednesday, another one will set off, among others, to Głuchołazy. – After all, we have to help. It's a normal human instinct – said one of the women supporting the collection. Animal products are also being collected.
The capital city hall reported that on Tuesday morning trucks with water, food and water tankers left the MPWiK headquarters in Ochota. After the decision of President Rafał Trzaskowski to get involved The capital has been collecting donations to help flood victims since Sunday.
The convoy that headed south of Poland consists of two trucks, four transporters and four tankers. They are carrying, among other things, 35 pallets of water and about 50 pallets of food, chemicals and hygiene products. MPWiK also provided several huge pumps to dry flooded rooms.
“The response to the fundraiser is huge”
The president of the capital added that another transport will be sent on Wednesday – the aid will go to Głuchołazy, among others. – The response to this collection is huge, we planned to send three trucks, but we will probably need more vehicles, because so many items were delivered by the people of Warsaw. We are still collecting things at the Filter Station and at several dozen points in the districts. I would like to thank everyone involved in the action – said Trzaskowski at a briefing on the city's security. – A big thank you to the services and city units for their readiness in the event of a changing situation in the capital and for their involvement in helping those in need – he added.
Things needed by flood victims can be delivered to the warehouse of the Water Treatment Plant “Filtry”, the point operates in a 24-hour system – gate from Raszyńska Street. Collection is also carried out in all districts.
Around noon on Tuesday, vans were still arriving at the main collection point, bringing donations collected from the neighborhoods. Those that didn’t fit waited at hazard lights for their turn. Residents also drove up, leaving their cars and bringing crates of water and long-expired food items.
“It's a normal human reflex”
The older man brought several large packages of flour, sugar, several canned goods and large rolls of paper towels. “I guess I'm like that, I help others,” he told the reporter.
A young woman with a dog also came with a backpack. “I brought sweet rolls. They have a long shelf life, and you can't always cook something there. And they will kill the first hunger,” she said. But she will come again and bring pet food. “I didn't have time to buy it now, and my dog will have another walk,” she added.
All the Varsovians, when asked why they bring all these things, answer, as Mrs. Elżbieta says, who brought cleaning products in a shopping bag. – You have to help. It's a normal human reflex. I can't imagine what these people feel, from whom the water took everything – she said.
The collection lasts until further notice
The waterworks workers who accept donations have no time to rest. Someone keeps bringing a case of water or a car pulls up filled to the roof.
– The collection started at the earliest, at 5 p.m. on Sunday. And people from Warsaw started coming to us right away. It had to get going, because it was Sunday, the shops were closed, so there was no way to do any shopping – said Jolanta Maliszewska, spokeswoman for Warsaw Waterworks.
She noted that the collection has been in full swing since Monday. – It's not just individual residents. Companies and small business owners are also coming, leaving huge donations. What we ask for, what is most needed, i.e. bottled water, hygiene products and municipal goods: gloves, garbage bags. They are also leaving pet food. Transports from the districts are also coming – she added.
The collection lasts 24 hours a day until further notice. – Employees of Warsaw Waterworks are involved, who here on the spot receive, repack, and group these donations. Then this goods are packed onto trucks. The first convoy has already left – she explained.
The greatest need is bottled water, dry food, personal hygiene products – diapers for both children and seniors, wet wipes, cloths, soaps.
Collection for animals
In Warsaw, a collection of gifts for animals that suffered in the flood has also been launched. Dry and wet food for dogs and cats, clean blankets and large towels are needed. Only the most necessary things should be brought – other things will not be accepted.
Donations can be brought to: Na Paluchu Shelter (ul. Paluch 2), to the zoo – at the gates from ul. Ratuszowa and from the side of the Gdański Bridge (24 hours a day), the Greenery Office (ul. Krucza 5/11D), as well as to the City Forests (ul. Korkowa 170A, Rydzowa 1A and Dziwożony 15).
“Dear ones, animals need your help! For several days now, we have all been shocked by the dramatic situation in the south of our country. Among the victims are not only people, but also animals. Defenseless creatures whose fate is fully dependent on us – people,” the capital's zoo wrote on social media.
It informed that a collection of gifts for animals that suffered in the flood is starting. Dry and wet food for dogs and cats, clean blankets and large towels are needed. Only the most necessary things should be brought – other things will not be accepted.
The collection will last until September 20, but may be extended.
“Let's save those who have no chance of survival without us. Thank you for your support and for every gesture. We also thank the firefighters, services and volunteers for providing help. You are all Heroes,” wrote the Warsaw Zoo.
Main image source: Warsaw City Hall