Instead of money promised by the state – delay and disappointment. And the closer to winter, the less patience. Many weeks have passed since the crossing of the Great Water, and in many cases there is still no immediate help. Flood victims are waiting, and they're not the only ones asking why the payment is delayed and when it will speed up.
Mr. Dariush is doing everything he can to prepare the house for the next winter together with his parents, although it is not an easy task. They provided the walls that were cracked after the flood, but they have been waiting for the payment of the allowance for two months.
There were promises that this amount would reach the flood victims as soon as possible. However, Mrs. Halina has not yet received PLN 200,000, which she could have spent on drying and protecting the house from the cold. – No decision. They were here, assessed the damage and we have to wait. How long? We do not know, – says the resident of the village of Goshov Mrs. Halina Przeglada.
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There are about 300 people like Mrs. Halina in Stronie Slaskie alone, out of 400 applications for payment of PLN 200,000, only 152 were approved, and a smaller pension of PLN 100,000 was paid to only four people.
Number of applications submitted in Stronie Słaskie Municipal Office in Stronie Słaskie
While the first payments of the so-called urgent benefits of PLN 2,000 and PLN 8,000 should have been simple and quick, according to officials, the matter becomes even more complicated when the applications are already at a loss.
– The commission must go through each property and among the members of the commission must be a person who has construction qualifications to check the extent of the damage. We have already managed to complete the work of this committee, – says Lech Kawecki, deputy mayor of Stronie Slaskie.
According to the announcement, further benefits in Stronie Slaskie should 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 Balukevich/Fakti po Poludniu TVN24
Funds should be used as soon as possible
There are more municipalities where the problem is apparent at first glance. In Želazno, which is located near Kłodzko, many residents are still struggling independently with the effects of the huge wave. – The commission was there twice, unfortunately I did not see or hear anything, – says Mr. Jacek.
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Mr. Jacek submitted an application for payment of PLN 200,000, but he has to start renovations on the house now. He replaced the water-damaged windows and the building had to be dried. Now, he is doing it at his own expense. He and his wife used to run an agricultural 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 just has to accelerate very quickly, – emphasizes Marcin Kirwinski, the government's authorized representative for post-flood reconstruction.
Public funds are distributed by local governments to residents as soon as possible and should be distributed. At least in theory. Is it the same in practice? On Sunday, the voivode of Lower Silesia talked about it with the heads of communes and the mayors of the Klodzko district. – I apologize to all the residents and on behalf of myself and the local governments, that it did not go as quickly and efficiently as they expected. We are speeding up, – assures Maciej Avizen, voivode of Lower Silesia.
From now on, these funds should be paid more quickly without additional community interviews, and Klodzko officials should be supported by officials from other municipalities. – These will be simplified procedures, we will gradually receive money from the Ministry of Finance. I want to deal with it by the end of the month, – says Michal Pisco, mayor of Klodzko.
Main photo source: Malgorzata Mielkarek/TVN Fact
