Austria flood relief initiative spends €25.5 million

Austria helps Austria has spent €25.5 million on emergency and reconstruction aid for victims of the September 2024 floods, mainly in Lower Austria, ORF reported on Tuesday. The initiative said around €26.5 million had been donated in total.

“The solidarity was impressive,” said Peter Kaiser, deputy secretary general of the Austrian Red Cross, at a news conference marking the second anniversary of the floods.

Almost 8,500 applications were submitted for emergency assistance, with around €10.9 million paid out. Recipients received up to €2,100 each. Households that were particularly badly affected were also eligible for reconstruction grants of up to €10,700.

In Melk, hundreds of households were left without electricity, while people had to be evacuated by helicopter and in Zillen boats. Patrick Strobl, the mayor and a municipal employee of Melk, said the solidarity shown during the disaster was one of his strongest memories.

Initiative founded during pandemic

Austria helps Austria was launched in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic by Caritas, Diakonie, Hilfswerk, the Austrian Red Cross, Volkshilfe and ORF. It has since been transferred to a nonprofit foundation.

Alongside disaster relief, the initiative supports longer-term social projects for children, young people and families. “People need support not only when a crisis makes headlines,” said Anna Parr, secretary general of Caritas Austria.

ORF supports the initiative as a media partner through fundraising appeals, coverage and charity campaigns.