Which products do flood victims need? “Tons of donations are arriving, not always the ones that are most needed”

Before the flood, it was a school. On September 22, it was also a temporary warehouse and a relief headquarters. – We need construction foam, we need long screws to attach windows, which are not available, we need hearing protection, because there is chiseling that people do and they ask about it, and safety glasses – lists one of the people involved in the reconstruction of flood-affected buildings.

Tons of donations arrive there every day. Not always the most needed ones. – We don't have any drills or hammers. I know that it is very much needed – says another person.

Candles, matches, gas canisters and dehumidifiers are the products that flood victims are looking for. There is plenty of water and food in stores.

– At the moment we have a lot of them and the further transport of these products makes our logistics more difficult, because there is no demand for them here and now, and we no longer have space for products that are currently needed – points out Marcin Kowalski from the National Rescue Coordination Team of the Polish Red Cross.

Renovations are starting in the flooded areas and they have to be quick because the temperature is dropping and the first frosts may come in a month.

– I dream of opening this door and going back to my kindergarten, which I had on September 2 – she says Celina Chęś-Drańczuk, director of the kindergarten and municipal nursery in Stronie Śląskie.

In many places, you have to start from scratch. – We need window frames, doors, plasterboard, and other building materials to be able to collect toys or buy other teaching aids. The most important thing first is renovation – Celina Chęś-Drańczuk emphasizes.

Before we go shopping or send a parcel, it is worth checking what is necessary, for example on the website of the Government Agency for Strategic Reserves or Caritas.

– There is a suggested list of products that should be packed into such a package. There is a list of over 150 places in Poland where such a prepared package can be brought, and this is the best way – informs Marcin Majewski from Caritas Polska.

Things that we think are essential for flood victims may not necessarily be useful on site.

– I have 30 mattresses, do you need them now? I say okay, we will need them, but not now, only in three weeks, when everything is cleaned up, because these people have nowhere to keep them – says Zuzanna Komornicka from the Śnieżnik Massif Local Fund.

The services appeal to people not to bring their donations in person, in private cars, to Lądek-Zdrój or Stronie.

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– We transport to each village in small vehicles exactly what is needed, prepared to meet the specific needs of people, but we strongly urge you not to bring products directly to the site, because at the moment we need systemic help – appeals Marcin Kowalski.

Dehumidifiers are currently the first-need equipment in flooded areas, which is why aid organizations are appealing for donations, but before we send money, it is worth checking who is running the collection and whether the specific organization is entered in the National Court Register.

– 94 reports of someone impersonating someone, providing false information regarding a fundraising campaign, and the money was transferred to private accounts. We also have 32 reports of disinformation being spread. People provided other accounts for charitable organizations – says Wiesław Szczepański, deputy minister of internal affairs and administration from the Left.

Paints, fungicides, wheelbarrows, disinfectants and rubber gloves are not always enough.

– We need an electrician. The electrical system needs to be redone – says Mrs. Krystyna, a resident of Bardo. – We need two or three bricklayers, because our entire utility room has practically collapsed – adds Mrs. Anna, also a resident of Bardo.