Port of Gdansk lends a helping hand to the victims of the flood

30.08.2001

The flood caused by heavy rainstorms that lashed the area of Gdansk this summer left a large number of families homeless and devoid of all possessions of their lifetime. The Port of Gdansk Authority SA has got actively involved in bringing help to those suffering from the damages brought about by the flood.

As soon as July 12th this year a decision was made to provide direct financial assistance of PLN 100,000 to the victims based in the area of Orunia, Lipce, Niegowa and Sw. Wojciech. The funds were meant to cover direct material aid. At the same time Flood Victims' Support Team was established by the Port of Gdansk Authority SA including the ports' rescue, administrative and supply services. With the use of its own means of transportation the Team took immediate action to supply food, chemicals and building materials directly to the victims and also to schools in Lipce and Sw. Wojciech, which provided a seat to Flood Victims' Support Committees. The entire action was carefully coordinated by the Disaster Management Centre in Gdansk.

The rescue efforts were immediately joined by the Port's Fire Brigade "Florian", which forwarded its forces to the area struck by the flooding. The Flood Victims' Support Team also coordinated the actions taken by other ports' companies. The financial support was also granted by Port of Gdansk Cargo Logistics, as well as the companies of Chemiki, Rezerwa and Siark-Port. Equipment and other means of assistance were provided by the companies of Port of Gdansk Cargo Logistics, Naftport, Aqua-Port, Port Trans and Inz-Bud. In total, the financial aid contributed by the Port of Gdansk amounted to PLN 141,000. Moreover, the Port of Gdansk Authority SA earmarked PLN 15,000 to sponsor a concert given by the rock groups of INXS and De Mono on August 26th this year in the Woodland Open Air Theatre in Sopot. The aggregate of profits gained from the concert have been provided to flood victims' support. The Port of Gdansk Authority SA made available, free of charge, hotel premises of 54 rooms providing shelter to the flood victims, as well as a round-the-clock guarded warehouse of 2,000 m2 for storing of material aid supplied for the victims. The Port of Gdansk Authority SA will also participate in the restoration and refurbishment of destroyed buildings.

The devotion and dedicated action taken by the Port's employees, who eagerly lent a helping hand to those struggling with the hardships can't be overestimated. The City of Gdansk administration, victims' support committees, as well as the flood victims themselves expressed their gratitude to the President of the Board of the Port of Gdansk Authority SA. Confronted with tragic fate of the people the Port of Gdansk proved its ability to rise to the occasion and serve those in need.