Instead of the promised government money – delays and disappointment. And the closer to winter, the less patience there is. Many weeks have passed since the crossing of the Great Water, and in many cases there is still no immediate support. Flood victims are waiting and they are not the only ones who are asking why the delay in payments and when the acceleration will come.
Mr. Dariusz is doing everything he can to prepare the house for the coming winter with his parents, although it is not easy. They secured the walls cracked after the flood themselves, but they have been waiting for the payment of benefits for two months.
There were promises that the money would reach the flood victims as soon as possible. However, Mrs. Halina has still not received PLN 200,000, which she could have spent on drying and protecting the house against frost. – There is no decision. They were here, they assessed the damage and we had to wait. How long? We don't know, says Mrs. Halina Przegląda, a resident of the village of Goszów.
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There are almost 300 people like Mrs. Halina in Stronie Śląskie alone. Out of over 400 applications for the payment of PLN 200,000, only 152 were approved. And a smaller benefit, amounting to PLN 100,000, was paid to only four people.
Number of submitted applications in Stronie ŚląskieMunicipal Office in Stronie Śląskie
While the first payments of the so-called instant benefits in the amount of PLN 2,000 and PLN 8,000 were supposed to be simple and quick to implement, according to officials, when the applications concern already incurred losses, the matter will be more complicated.
– A commission must go through each property, and among the commission members there must be a person with construction qualifications to verify this level of losses. We have already managed to complete the work of this committee – says Lech Kawecki, deputy mayor of Stronie Śląskie.
According to the announcement, further benefits in Stronie Śląskie are to be delivered to residents within two weeks.
Many flood victims have not yet received government aid. “The application was submitted two months ago, the commission visited twice”Marta Balukiewicz/Fakty po Południu TVN24
The funds are to be disbursed faster
There are more municipalities where the problem is visible at first glance. In Żelazno near Kłodzko, many residents are still struggling with the effects of the great wave on their own. – The commission was there twice, unfortunately I didn't see or hear anything – says Mr. Jacek.
Mr. Jacek submitted an application for payment of PLN 200,000, but he had to start renovations at home now. He replaced the windows that were damaged by water, and the building also had to be dried. For now, he is doing it at his own expense. He and his wife previously ran an agritourism business, but now their pension is enough to live on.
– I hope that someone will think about it and everything will start – says Mr. Jacek. – It simply has to accelerate very rapidly – emphasizes Marcin Kierwiński, government plenipotentiary for post-flood reconstruction.
Government funds are and should be distributed to residents as quickly as possible by local governments. At least in theory. Will this also be the case in practice? On Sunday, the voivode of Lower Silesia talked about it with the commune heads and mayors of the Kłodzko district. – I apologize to all residents on behalf of myself and the local governments that it did not go as quickly as they expected or as efficiently as they expected. We are accelerating – assures Maciej Awiżeń, voivode of Lower Silesia.
From now on, the funds are to be paid faster, without additional community interviews, and the Kłodzko officials are to be supported by officials from other municipalities. – These will be simplified procedures, we will gradually receive money from the reserve of the Ministry of Finance. I would like to deal with it by the end of the month – says Michał Piszko, mayor of Kłodzko.
Main photo source: Małgorzata Mielcarek/Fakty TVN