Flood disaster
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Scholz announces emergency aid of several hundred million euros
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Houses in the Ahr valley in the Walporzheim district have been destroyed. In view of the disaster, Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz has promised emergency aid in the hundreds of millions. Photo: Thomas Frey / dpa
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Berlin The destruction after the floods in western Germany is huge – many people are faced with the literal ruins of their existence. Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz promises quick help.
After the flood disaster in western Germany, Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz promised emergency aid in the three-digit million range. “It takes a national show of strength,” said the SPD politician of “Bild am Sonntag”.
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More than 300 million euros
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On Wednesday in the cabinet he wanted to put two things on the table. “Firstly, an immediate aid, with the last flood significantly more than 300 million euros were necessary. So much is needed now, ”said Scholz. “Second, we have to lay the foundations for a rebuilding program so that the destroyed houses, roads and bridges can be repaired quickly. As we know from the previous catastrophe, it is billions of euros. “
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According to Scholz, it should be done quickly. “As early as July, the first emergency aid should go to those affected, if possible,” he explained. “The construction aid needs a little more time. But everything should be in place this year. ”The acute emergency aid from the federal government should be paid out via the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is best to decide on site who needs support most urgently.
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“Anyone who has lost their business, their house, cannot bear the damage alone,” said Scholz. “We now have to stand together as a country and help the flood victims quickly, generously and unbureaucratically.”
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Help needed at all levels
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Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) promised support to those affected on Thursday. Scholz had already said that aid should go to the federal states, the districts, the municipalities and also the citizens.
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Scholz does not consider new loans to finance the emergency aid to be necessary: ”We can do what is now necessary with the funds we now have,” he told the newspaper. “Experience has shown that the funds for the reconstruction will be required step by step in the coming years, and we will do that.”
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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210718-99-422015 / 3
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