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Flood damage in Dernau im Ahrtal: Damage of around 560 million euros to companies in the region alone
Photo: Thomas Frey / dpa
According to an estimate, the flood disaster caused property damage of more than half a billion euros to companies in the Rhineland-Palatinate Ahr Valley alone.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) and the Chamber of Crafts (HwK) Koblenz announced that a large proportion of the estimated damage amount of around 560 million euros was attributable to buildings.
But machines, tools and destroyed goods are also taken into account in the estimate.
In the Ahr Valley, around 800 IHK and 800 HwK member companies are reportedly affected by the flood.
71 percent of these companies are small businesses.
The hospitality industry and the hotel industry with around 11,000 beds in the district were particularly hard hit. "The region lives heavily from tourism," said Arne Rössel, General Manager of the Koblenz Chamber of Commerce. "First the closings due to the corona pandemic and now this natural disaster: This storm is devastating for the economy, and especially for traders, hoteliers and restaurateurs along the Ahr."
The financial situation was tense because many companies had no elementary insurance and reserves had already been used up, said Rössel. The IHK is in close contact with the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Mainz, because now fast and unbureaucratic support for the companies concerned is necessary. The emergency aid of 5000 euros is an important first step. But grants and funding programs must also be made available quickly. "Not to mention the restoration of the infrastructure, without which the companies can only partially or not yet resume their activities," said Rössel.
HwK General Manager Ralf Hellrich said that the coordination of the aid measures that have been started is now very important.
"It is now very important to sensibly coordinate the overwhelming willingness to help of the craftspeople from all over Germany," he said.
Financial support and logistical capacities are urgently needed to provide the helpers on site with the necessary materials.
fdi / dpa