Flood 2024: The Road to Recovery

The catastrophic flood of 2024 destroyed homes, bridges, and infrastructure in many towns across southern Poland. We want to help flood victims return to normal life, and this task presents many challenges. Although the water has receded, the impact of the disaster remains severe, and support is still needed in the affected areas. We have undertaken long-term efforts to restore a sense of normalcy and stability for those affected.

What is the Situation?

The flood that struck Poland in 2024 directly affected 2.38 million residents across more than 749 towns in three provinces. The disaster hit Lower Silesia particularly hard, destroying 11 502 buildings, including schools, kindergartens, and medical facilities. The flood forced the evacuation of 6 544 people, while nearly 57 000 residents lost access to essential services and goods such as medicine, medical equipment and transportation.

The greatest needs are in the municipalities of Lądek-Zdrój, Głuchołazy, and Stronie Śląskie, where the highest number of victims reside. In these areas, access to healthcare is severely limited—there is a shortage of doctors and nurses and Primary Healthcare Centers (POZ) are struggling with staffing and supply shortages. The winter period poses an additional challenge, as residents require warm clothing, bedding, fuel and basic hygiene products to endure the season in dignified conditions.

What Are We Doing?

We have been providing medical aid since the onset of the flood crisis. Our efforts include both immediate and long-term support.

Mobile Medical Support. We have established mobile medical teams that operate 4-5 days a week, reaching areas with limited access to medical assistance. Each team consists of doctors, nurses, and psychologists. These specialists provide medical consultations, psychological support, and vaccinations to protect people from the health consequences of living in flooded areas (e.g., preventing tetanus infections). As a result, elderly individuals, children, and pregnant women receive the essential care they need.
Collaboration with Local Primary Healthcare Centers (POZ). We are supporting three POZ facilities in Lądek-Zdrój and Stronie Śląskie, which were heavily affected by the flood. This includes providing medical equipment and consumables such as bandages, plasters, antipyretics, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory medications. Patients also have access to care from doctors, nurses, and paramedics.
Distribution of Medicines and Equipment. We deliver small medical devices such as glucometers, blood pressure monitors, and disinfectants to help chronically ill patients. This support will benefit at least 10 medical facilities and hundreds of individual patients.
Winter Assistance. If necessary, support will be provided in the form of shopping vouchers, distributed according to lists of those in need, as identified by local authorities and crisis centers.
Educational Initiatives. Beyond direct assistance, we also conduct educational campaigns. One example is a winter 2025 training session for preschool children.

Free psychological support for flood victims in Lądek-Zdrój has been made possible through contributions from the EEA and Norway Grants. Every donation helps us achieve our goals—from purchasing medical equipment to funding logistical operations such as transporting mobile clinics and delivering medications.

Thanks to thorough needs assessments and a monitoring system, we respond in real time, adjusting our support to the evolving situation. Our project involves doctors, nurses, psychologists, coordinators, inspectors, and specialists in monitoring and logistics.