By Theresa Aengenheyster | Project Leader
The flood disaster of 2021 in western Germany
left lasting traces. Together with the local
people, alliance organizations from Aktion
Deutschland Hilft provided important help.
"Without the enormous willingness to donate
from numerous private individuals and companies,
the reconstruction would not have progressed as
far as it does today," emphasizes the director
of Aktion Deutschland Hilft. "However, we have
noticed that many of those affected are only now
finding out about offers of help or dare to take
advantage of them. Our signal to these people in
particular is: The help continues! We are glad
that we have done it together over the past 22
months have managed to use 184 million euros, 70
percent of the available donations for aid measures
by the alliance organizations."
Donations as an important support for reconstruction
In the more than 40 flood relief offices in North
Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, alliance
organizations of Aktion Deutschland Hilft such as the
Johanniter, the Malteser or the Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO)
are on hand to provide advice. In detailed one-to-one
discussions, the employees provide information about
individual funding opportunities and help with the
application process.
Since the first visible damage from the flood was repaired,
people are now facing new challenges in rebuilding. The
offers of help have also been adapted to the changing needs
of those affected.
Flood Germany: Examples of aid projects
The aid center in Schleidener Tal, for example, combines
reconstruction aid from the AWO and the Malteser aid service
with psychosocial offers and regular meeting cafés. In addition,
other alliance organizations such also support sports and
development clubs or youth clubs in the replacement of inventory.
Processing the invisible consequences of the flood
For many of those affected, the restoration of material damage
to houses and infrastructure is accompanied by feelings of
insecurity, fear of the future or traumatic stress. In order to
support people in mental processing as well, alliance organizations
have already offered more than 35,000 offers for psychosocial
support since 2021.
In a variety of painting and riding therapies for children and young
people, therapy sessions or meeting cafés, those affected are encouraged
to talk about events they have experienced as well as their worries and
fears in a protected space.
Alliance organizations of Aktion Deutschland Hilft estimate that offers
of psychosocial help will still be necessary even after several years
in order to ensure long-term processing.
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