Merkel's million dollar aid for flood victims: Secret paper reveals the amount - but there is a catch

According to a report, Angela Merkel's federal government is planning several hundred million euros in aid because of the flood damage in the Eifel and in other parts of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate.

Munich / Eifel - Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) made a visibly thoughtful visit to the flood disaster area.

Together with NRW Prime Minister and CDU Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet, the German (still) head of government visited Bad Münstereifel in the Eifel, devastated by the flood, on Tuesday (July 20) and got an impression of the damage caused by the recent storm in Germany made.

Flood disaster in Germany: Angela Merkel's federal government plans emergency aid

“Tomorrow (

.)

We will put on

a program in the cabinet in Berlin that deals with financial aid. And the point here is that, on the one hand, immediate aid is paid out unbureaucratically. Together with the country that will decide on Thursday. The Prime Minister told me, "said Angela Merkel (CDU) at a public meeting in the small town with around 18,000 inhabitants.

The Chancellor went on to explain to rescue workers and municipal representatives: “And then we will do everything we can with you to ensure that the money gets to the people quickly.

They often have nothing left except what they are wearing and who are therefore dependent on support. ”During her speech, the 67-year-old looked at North Rhine-Westphalia's head of state, party friend and CDU boss Laschet again and again.

In the video: Angela Merkel promises flood victims quick emergency aid

The Erft flows through Bad Münstereifel, which had built up into a raging river during the flood disaster and caused enormous damage and devastation.

But: How much does the federal government want to pay the affected municipalities, municipalities and cities in the Eifel and other parts of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate in emergency aid?

How much money should help initially?

Flood disaster in Germany: Angela Merkel probably wants the federal states to be involved in aid

The

is now reported (July 20) of a draft decision of the Finance and Interior Ministry. Accordingly, 400 million euros should initially be released for emergency aid because of the damage in the flood areas. As it was also said, there will be final advice on the emergency aid. At the end of July or beginning of August there will also be a special meeting of the prime ministers of the federal states, at which they will discuss a joint reconstruction. And what that should ultimately cost. But there is still a small catch: According to the

the

federal government makes it

a prerequisite that all states participate in the financing.

One thing is certain: the reconstruction will take time. Bridges, tracks, roads: the federal government only expects damage of at least around two billion euros to the infrastructure in the flood disaster areas.