Reactions to severe weather disaster: “Terrible days for the people”

After the severe storms, Chancellor Merkel announced that the federal government would help those affected. Several ministers also promised support – and see the events as a consequence of climate change.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has promised the people in the flood areas in Germany support from the federal government. Wherever the federal government can help, it will do so, said Merkel on the sidelines of her visit to Washington. “These are horrific days for the people in the floodplains. My thoughts are with them. And you can trust that all the forces in our state – federal, state and local – will work together to save lives even under the most difficult of conditions To avert danger and alleviate hardship. ”

You have already spoken to Finance Minister Olaf Scholz about this. Merkel said that the federal government would also discuss what help could be provided for the upcoming construction work.

“Shaken by the disaster”

Merkel had previously expressed her dismay at the severe flooding and thanked the helpers. “I am shocked by the disaster that so many people have to endure in the flood areas,” said Merkel, according to a tweet from government spokesman Steffen Seibert. “My condolences go out to the relatives of the dead and missing. I thank the many tireless helpers and emergency services from the bottom of my heart.”

Merkel is currently on her last visit to the USA as Chancellor in Washington, where she meets US President Joe Biden.

Scholz promises financial help

Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz interrupted his vacation because of the flood to get an idea of ​​the situation in the disaster area together with the Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Malu Dreyer.

“The people in the disaster area are in need, the damage is immense,” said the SPD candidate for chancellor. “The federal government has to lend a hand.” He will do everything to ensure that the federal government provides financial aid.

Seehofer sees the consequences of climate change

Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer also promised federal aid. “More than 2000 THW forces and the federal police are in action and I offer the countries any support,” said the CSU politician of “Bild”.

The flood is a tragedy, the extent of which is far from being foreseeable. “These extreme weather conditions are the consequences of climate change,” adds Seehofer. “We have to prepare much better for this, including when it comes to flood protection.”

Schulze announces additional climate protection efforts

Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze also sees the consequences of climate change in the events and immediately announced additional efforts by the federal government for more climate protection. “We simply cannot afford too little climate protection,” said the SPD politician of the “Rheinische Post”. “That is why we in Germany and Europe will do even more than before – both for climate protection and for adaptation to the unavoidable consequences of climate change.”

At the moment, however, the top priority is “saving human lives and averting further damage,” said Schulze. The most recent events have shown the force with which the consequences of climate change can strike and how important it is to prepare even better for such extreme weather in the future.

Laschet calls for more speed in climate protection

The Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia and CDU candidate for Chancellor Armin Laschet had previously made a similar statement. The accumulation of heavy rain and heat episodes is “connected with climate change”, said Laschet during a visit to the city of Hagen, which was particularly affected by the floods. “That means that we need more speed with the measures for climate protection – European, nationwide, worldwide,” he added.

Laschet asserted that he did not want to make any capital out of the flood disaster in the election campaign. For him it is not about “creating pictures – that is too serious a situation”. “Every prime minister who takes his office seriously is with the people at such a moment.”

At least 42 people died after the storms in western Germany. Numerous people are missing in Rhineland-Palatinate. The Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Dreyer was shocked at a state parliament meeting in Mainz. “There are dead, there are missing, there are many who are still in danger. It is really devastating,” says Dreyer.