The EEA and Norway Grants, the Polish Red Cross, and the Polish Medical Mission have joined forces to help flood victims. The Polish Red Cross (PCK) and the Polish Medical Mission (PMM) have received nearly 9 million zloty (2 million euros) to support flood-affected areas.
Agreements to this effect were signed in November. Both the PCK and PMM will receive 1 million euros each for their projects to assist flood victims. The funds come from the Bilateral Cooperation Fund, which is part of the EEA and Norway Grants for Poland.
"Allocating the EEA and Norway Grants to help flood victims required agreements with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. We thank our partners for their kindness and flexibility" - commented Deputy Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy Konrad Wojnarowski.
Polish Red Cross Assistance
The PCK has been present in flood-affected areas from the very beginning. Initially, it helped in the preparation and distribution of food packages and hygiene products, and later supported residents and local governments in drying out homes and restoring access to water and electricity.
Funding from the EEA and Norway Grants will be used for vouchers and prepaid cards that will allow families to purchase basic household appliances and building materials. This will give people in the most difficult situations the opportunity to make their own decisions about purchasing the necessary products to support repairs. The amount of support per household is 4,000 zloty. The PCK plans to help at least 1,000 people in this way.
The distribution and qualification of beneficiaries for the program will be carried out in cooperation with local governments by the Polish Red Cross branches in 4 provinces: Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie), Opolskie, Silesia (Śląskie), and Lubuskie.
Vouchers funded by the EEA and Norway Grants are part of the PCK's long-term aid program under the slogan "#odNOWAzPCK".
Polish Medical Mission Assistance
Meanwhile, the PMM's project focuses on medical assistance and winter preparedness in the Lower Silesia region.
With the support of the EEA and Norway Grants, the PMM will:
- Establish two or more (depending on needs) mobile clinics staffed by doctors, psychologists, and nurses. The clinics will operate 4-5 days a week for the duration of the project and will visit patients in villages and towns with limited access to doctors, with a priority given to the elderly and children;
- Cooperate with local governments to fill staffing gaps in local health centers;
- Provide small medical equipment (e.g., glucometers, blood pressure monitors), over-the-counter drugs, and consumables directly to the affected population;
- Establish tetanus vaccination points (this activity is already underway);
- Distribute winter preparedness kits - at least 8,000 people will receive clothing, footwear, school supplies, blankets and pillows, sheets, shovels, floor brushes, etc. Items will be purchased directly or vouchers will be distributed. Kits and vouchers will be distributed based on a list of people affected by the natural disaster provided by local authorities and the local crisis management center.