photo - IAR

Two helicopters with 6 tonnes of food, cleaning products and disinfectants collected by aid organisations Caritas Polska and PHO have left Warsaw for flood-stricken Bogatynia, Zgorzelec and Radomierzyce in southwestern Poland.

The helicopters were not able to fly yesterday because of difficult weather conditions.

On Monday the two aid organisations asked the Polish Army for help in transporting food and necessities to the flood victims. A shuttle of four helicopters from two airfields was then arranged. Additionally, more soldiers have been sent to help with the clean-up operation.

The flash flood which on Friday struck Bogatynia and neighbouring localities at the south-western tip of Poland has damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and carried away roads. Local authorities announce that payment of subsidies for the flood victims should start today.

After their summit meeting with Czech Vaclav Klaus on Mount Śnieżka, Polish President Bronisław Komorowski and Speaker of Parliament Grzegorz Schetyna are to visit the area. (ek)