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Impressive open letter to Merkel after the flood "apocalypse" - those affected have clear demands

2021-08-04T07:11:06.055Z


Those affected by the flood disaster a few weeks ago are calling for help. You turn to Chancellor Merkel: You need money, spiritual help and security.


Those affected by the flood disaster a few weeks ago are calling for help.

You turn to Chancellor Merkel: You need money, spiritual help and security.

Altenahr - The July floods in parts of Germany brought a lot of suffering and destruction. There is still a lot of tidying up on site. But many are left with nothing. No house, no job, no decent supplies and infrastructure. NRW Prime Minister Armin Laschet was among other things on Monday in the region - there he met some angry flood victims. Not an easy appointment, especially not during election campaign times. But the local people are probably only marginally interested in the race for the federal election. Only the look ahead is exciting: Who will follow Angela Merkel (CDU) into the Chancellery and what does she or he do for prevention, but also to combat damage?

The old head of government is still at the helm, and Merkel herself has already been to the crisis areas.

Even if the CDU politician found warm words, she was quickly gone again.

The Altenahr community has now turned to Merkel and the Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Malu Dreyer in an open letter.

She received the letter on Sunday, as it became known on Tuesday.

Despair in the Ahr valley in Rhineland-Palatinate after the floods - and a little hope

The catastrophe was three weeks ago, but the appeal for immediate help has not flattened out. It is about a "future perspective in the Ahr valley". The 15 signatories, including the mayor of the Verbandsgemeinde, Cornelia Weigand, remember the "Apocalypse" of July 14th. “Many of us have to mourn the deaths of relatives, neighbors and acquaintances and most of us lost our belongings and homes in the disaster. The extent of the devastation in the Ahr Valley is still incomprehensible and extremely complex because of the residential areas and infrastructure that are often concentrated in the narrow valley, ”the letter said.

“Makeshift roads are being built to supply the population overland. Most of the road network has been destroyed. The risk of epidemics and diseases increases every day, since an intact fresh water supply and sewage disposal no longer exist in large parts. Accordingly, fear also increases in the already severely traumatized population. "And immediately after that, it is written in brackets:" Out of desperation, people have already chosen suicide. "

Those affected are overwhelmed by the willingness to donate, the generosity of many gives hope.

There are also “signs of direct aid and support for the communities” from politics.

But then the bold part: "But when we see the extent of the destruction, it is clear that all the previous aid and its organization will not even begin to suffice."

Open letter to Chancellor Merkel: Those affected list 10 points - from special commissioner to pastor

Then they list ten points that are needed now. Right at the beginning: a special representative with extensive competencies. A staff of experts should help this person coordinate, develop a recovery plan and guide its implementation. The other points must be integrated into this plan. This includes a short-term perspective for electricity, water, sewage and heating. Because the temperatures will fall, especially at night it will be difficult for the local people. The roads, bridges and rails would also have to be rebuilt - otherwise tourism would not get going again, businesses and workers in the cities would move away. Schools, daycare centers and hospitals are also currently looking bad.

And the residents are also thinking of the following possible disasters: “A reliable, differentiated early warning system and a practiced disaster control system are required!”, Says the letter to Merkel and Dreyer.

In addition, a construction method that is suitable for flooding must be developed so that bridges and individual buildings “do not become fatal stalls”.

Elementary insurance is needed on acceptable terms;

Businesses, viticulture and tourism, but also private individuals should be supported immediately.

The last point of the letter addresses people's emotional suffering once again: “A program to overcome trauma is needed.

The terrible pictures will accompany us to the end of our lives. "

Scholz in the disaster area: "The money is available from the federal government and the states"

A rough plan of what needs to be done now is in place. How does politics react? Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) estimates that the reconstruction will "swallow up many billions". "The money is available from the federal government and the states," he said on Tuesday during a visit with Armin Laschet in Stolberg, in North Rhine-Westphalia. The construction work can begin immediately. Laschet warned that the cities would have to be rebuilt "flood-resilient".

(cibo)

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-08-04

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