Help for flood victims: the federal and state governments are giving many millions

Vice Chancellor Scholz unpacks another small bazooka: The flood victims will be helped quickly - and as much as is necessary.

But how people get their money remains to be seen at first.

Berlin - You shouldn't hesitate long in the crisis, says Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz, that applies after the flood disaster just as it did at the beginning of the corona pandemic.

Aid must have first priority - "and not just any principles," said the SPD politician in Berlin on Wednesday.

One week after the devastating flood, which now has more than 170 fatalities, the federal government is loosing millions for emergency aid that is supposed to quickly support the people in the disaster area with essentials.

But some practical questions also remain open.

Scholz anticipates a financial requirement of 400 million euros for the quick help - half from the federal budget, the other from the affected countries.

At the same time, the finance minister promises that there could be more money if necessary.

"We will do what is necessary to help everyone as quickly as possible," said Scholz after the cabinet decision.

For the reconstruction, he reckoned with billions in financial requirements.

Scholz wants to double country aid

Even the emergency aid is likely to be higher than the federal government is now planning.

Because Scholz has promised the countries to double their own aid from his pot.

“We'll finance half of it every time.

So it will be to any extent, ”he says.

According to Prime Minister Armin Laschet (CDU), North Rhine-Westphalia alone will provide 200 million euros in state aid.

With that the 200 million from the federal government would already be planned.

But Rhineland-Palatinate has also decided to provide emergency aid of up to 3500 euros per household.

Bavaria wants to provide 50 million euros for flood victims.

So the federal government has to dig deeper into its pockets.

"The aid will not fail because of the money," promises Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU).

"The emergency aid is primarily a support for people who have lost all their belongings." The money should arrive quickly and without "major income or asset checks".

“People pay taxes for this, so that they can be helped in unusual situations.” But how people get their money remains unclear - it is up to the federal states to organize the transfers.

Scholz believes that everyone will find the fastest route for themselves.

Billion dollar construction fund planned

At the same time, it is clear that even a multi-million dollar emergency aid will not be enough to repair flooded places, torn bridges and collapsed houses.

In the longer term, there should be a multi-billion dollar construction fund.

The exact amount should only be decided when the extent of the damage can be better foreseen.

Scholz points out that after the flood disaster in 2013, around six billion euros have been spent on reconstruction to date.

This time too, the federal government will take over half of the development fund.

He said so, so construction could start immediately.

“It will cost billions, it will take several years.

But we are ready to do this together with the countries and move it forward.

Everyone can now rely on it. "

Will flood insurance be compulsory?

Shops, companies, residential buildings, livelihoods, all of this should and must be rebuilt in the flood areas with state aid.

Have many homeowners invested in flood insurance for free for years?

Seehofer and Scholz make it clear that state aid is in any case not linked to such an insurance.

"I advocate not being cynical and not being heartless," said Scholz enthusiastically.

Now it's about helping.

“If someone is affected by such an event, then he cannot help it.

We can't leave them alone. "

In the future, however, the insurance question will certainly also be discussed - for example, whether insurance against flood damage could become mandatory.

The federal government expects natural disasters such as floods to become more frequent in view of climate change.

Therefore, a broad debate about a "security system of the future" must be held, says Seehofer.

According to Scholz, the federal government wants to advise the federal states about setting up a permanent aid fund for natural disasters.

First Corona, now flood

Numerous small businesses that have suffered from the Corona crisis in the past few months are also affected by the current flood. Economics Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) announces “Means to bridge sales shortfalls”. First Corona, then the flood, that triggered personal suffering as well as the destruction of many livelihoods. According to Scholz, consideration is being given to expanding the hardship fund, which was decided in the Corona crisis, to 1.5 billion euros in order to help companies affected by the flood disaster. SPD parliamentary group vice-president Achim Post speaks of exempting affected companies from the insolvency obligation in order to give them air and to protect jobs.

The federal government is also helping the municipalities: it does not want to bill for the flood operations by the Technical Relief Organization (THW), the federal police and the armed forces.

"That is a great help for the municipalities," says Seehofer.

The aid decided by the black-red federal government is generally well received by the opposition.

However, they could only be a first measure, emphasizes Greens parliamentary group leader Katrin Göring-Eckardt.

"Now it has to be ensured during the implementation process that help really reaches the local people who were hit hard by this extreme weather catastrophe directly, quickly and easily." The FDP finance politician Otto Fricke calls for an election campaign and a summer break shouldn't play a role.

"We have to solve problems for this country and those affected together." Dpa