Caritas CR joined a network, and launched its assistance to the regions affected by the floods. At this particular moment, Caritas CR provides temporary accommodation and other assistance to people who have been evacuated. Fieldwork is carried out simultaneously. Charities in Moravia and Silesia also offered their help and support to affected areas.

Caritas CR is helping people from flooded areas actively by using its wide network (which unites nearly 350 charities across the country) – the capacity of its social services and experiences from the years 1997 and 2002.

Only in Northern Bohemia has Caritas Litoměřice provided temporary accommodation to 160 people, who have been evacuated from Kralupy nad Vltavou, and who found refuge in a Caritas Prague shelter. Caritas CR is also helping people in other affected regions.

Starting from Monday, Caritas CR released its own resources (2,62 million CZK) for immediate assistance to people and communities affected by the floods.

Crisis management and coordination centres are now working in České Budějovice, Litoměřice, Plzeň and Prague. In addition to initial aid, Caritas’ workers are also focused on social investigation and assistance to individual households (consultancy, drainage, dwelling repairs, household equipment). Caritas provides psychological support and coordinates volunteers as well. In the long term, Caritas is focused on assisting municipalities and the non-profit sector.

The telephone number of the crisis nonstop line for affected people by the floods is: 737234078, the website is: povodne.charita.cz. There you can find helpful advice, guidance and contacts.

Help from Moravia

Caritas organizations in Moravia and Silesia also prepared assistance for the affected areas. They already have rich experience with the floods from the years 1997 and 2002. “We are ready to send at least 30 teams to the affected areas. Besides the help with cleaning after floods, our teams will also provide a psychological first aid and research of the special needs during the social surveys,” said Martin Zamazal from Caritas Olomouc.

The humanitarian warehouses are located in the Diocesan Caritas Brno. “We are still in touch with the colleagues in the affected dioceses. In the very moment we are waiting for instructions when the water level decreases. Then we will be able to determine the real needs, which will improve the effectiveness of our help,” explained Ulrich Haičman, the Director of the Diocesan Caritas Brno. His team has already drawn up the list of volunteers and material help for future needs.

Diocesan Charity Ostrava-Opava prepared help in the form of a supply of cleaning materials and dryers. Caritas CR, with the help of joined forces, will prepare 500 dryers for the affected households.

Bank accounts, material collection and volunteers

People may help by contributing to Caritas’ fundraising account No. 11998822/0800 at the Česká spořitelna Bank, VS 906 or by sending an SMS with the text DMS CHARITAPOMOC to 87 777 (the price of a DMS is 30 CZK, and Caritas will receive the amount of 27 CZK; the service is provided by the Donors Forum).

Material collections and the registration of volunteers are taking place in České Budějovice, Plzeň, Prague, Hradec Králové and Litoměřice. Contacts are available here.