ADRA Responds after Severe Flooding in Europe

The humanitarian agency is responding in a variety of ways to assist those affected.

September 30, 2024 | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States | ADRA International, and Adventist Review

At least 24 people lost their lives in Central Europe after Cyclone Boris caused severe flooding throughout the region. Heavy rain started on September 12 and lasted for days, impacting Czechia, Poland, Romania, and Austria, and reaching into areas of Italy, Slovakia, and Hungary. Along with the deaths, many are still missing, and thousands have been evacuated from their homes and towns. These numbers may continue to increase as the total impact of Boris is fully realized.

ADRA offices in Europe are responding to the heavy flooding in a variety of ways. Beyond financially supporting families who lost their homes and possessions, ADRA and its volunteers across impacted regions are providing assistance by handing out food, water, and sanitary items. Cash assistance is planned to support families renovating their houses. Specially trained teams are also able to focus on psychosocial assistance to people who have been affected.

In Romania, flooding severely affected the southeastern region, resulting in seven people dead and even more missing. More than 15,000 people and 5,000 households have been impacted.

ADRA Romania is mobilizing quickly to intervene in these affected communities to provide aid, including basic foodstuffs, hygiene products, drinking water, pumps for water evacuations, and generators. “ADRA volunteer teams are on the ground to distribute these resources and provide moral support to those affected,” regional ADRA leaders reported.

More than 200 Adventist Church volunteers, including pastors and administrators, came from all over Romania and helped to remove mud from houses, clean and disinfect walls, and wash carpets. ADRA Romania also distributed large family packs with food items, bottled drinking water, and hygiene products like soap, toothpaste, and household disinfectants.

One such beneficiary in Romania was Maria. She told ADRA Romania that at first she didn’t want to leave her home, even though she was told that high water was coming. However, when the water reached her waist, her son carried her on his back, and, with great difficulty, they reached the local Cultural Center, where they took shelter. When they returned, her house was no longer habitable.

The ADRA team found Maria trying to clear the mud from her yard. She invited them into the house, and they saw how the flood had destroyed the entire interior of the modest house. It was only her faith in God that kept her going, she said, slowly cleaning the rooms that still had water on the floor.

The hygiene and food packages provided by the ADRA Romania team brought joy to Maria’s heart, and she expressed deep gratitude for the help she received from ADRA. “Water, in particular, was a lifeline, as she had no access to clean drinking water, and the electricity had been cut off,” regional ADRA leaders said. “But beyond this immediate help, the need remains urgent. Without electricity, cooking is impossible, and contaminated water sources mean she still relies on outside help.”

The next period of ADRA’s work will be important as they continue to help Maria with food, water, and non-perishable food packages to help her and others like her survive, regional leaders reported.

In Czechia, days of heavy rain led to severe flooding, particularly in the northeastern regions. Heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, submerging towns and villages. More than 20,000 households have lost power. Five deaths have been confirmed, and eight people are missing.

“The humanitarian aid phase is just beginning,” said Josef Koláček, emergency assistance coordinator for ADRA Czechia. “Until yesterday, evacuations were still taking place, and water levels were either peaking or yet to peak.”

ADRA Czechia representatives, along with volunteers, have been assessing the situation and evaluating affected households through a mobile app. So far, they have evaluated more than 600 households. “This mobile system will allow them to quickly and efficiently send out cash vouchers and material,” regional ADRA leaders said. ADRA volunteers have started helping to clear debris, clean up in and around homes, and help vulnerable groups and the elderly manage repairs.

In southern Poland, hundreds of cities, towns, and villages were affected. In many areas, there is no power or phone service. At least seven people have lost their lives, and many more are still missing.

ADRA Poland is working to assess damages and raising money to provide necessities for those who have been impacted. On September 23, ADRA representatives received and handed over 20 dehydrators to help in flooded areas. These dehydrators will help support the hundreds of families that are trying to dry out and save their homes, regional leaders explained.

ADRA Ukraine is working to support ADRA Poland after the flood by organizing training for the psychology team in Poland. The training focused on providing psychological help and support to the people affected by the floods.

In Austria, several regions were also impacted by record flooding. Thanks to donations, ADRA was able to purchase a lifeboat and boat trailer for the local Hoheneich volunteer fire brigade. “Boats like these are vital in situations like these as they help save lives and limit dangerous situations for rescuers and the stranded alike,” regional ADRA leaders said.

As ADRA in Europe continues to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Boris, leaders said they will work to help those affected.