EU Vice President visits flood victims in Eschweiler: two years after the flood disaster

EU Vice President visits flood victims in Eschweiler: two years after the flood disaster

Memorial Day for victims of the flood disaster-EU Vice President visits affected regions

On July 15, the European Union commemorates the flood victims of the global climate crisis. On this day two years ago, a devastating flood occurred in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, in which more than 180 people lost their lives. There were also deaths to complain about in Belgium. In view of this tragedy, the EU has launched the commemoration day to draw attention to the increasing effects of climate change.

In order to be close to the victims and helpers of the accident, the Vice President of the EU Commission traveled to Eschweiler. There he visited the St. Antonius Hospital, which had to be flooded and evacuated by the floods at the time. During his visit he met flood victims, helpers and doctors. Timmermans, the Vice President of the EU Commission, was particularly impressed by the resistance and determination of the people who have not lost their courage despite the flood disaster. At the same time, many affected people showed fear and uncertainty regarding their future. Much of the hospital is currently still in the reconstruction.

In Bad Münstereifel, a very special staircase is opened today, which is reminiscent of the flood disaster two years ago. In this accident, five people lost their lives and numerous houses were destroyed. The new staircase now serves as a meeting place for the population and leads down to the Erft, which stepped over its banks during the flood. When designing the stairs, many old paving stones were used that had torn the flood from the anchorage. Some of the stones show motifs from the days of the disaster, such as clean -up work, thanks to the helpers and flowering sunflowers. A few weeks after the flood, the latter were interpreted by many as a symbol of hope for a new future in Bad Münstereifel because the flood had widespread the flower seeds.

The opening of this memorial staircase symbolically stands for the reconstruction and cohesion of the community after the flood disaster. It should not only offer people a place of memory, but also a place of encounter. The disaster has shown how important solidarity and support are in difficult times. Through events and memorial days like this, the memory of the flood victims is maintained and at the same time made aware of the urgent need to contain climate change.

The EU sets an important sign with the orientation of the memorial day and illustrates that the fight against climate change is a global task. The support of affected regions and the prevention of further disasters are of the utmost importance. Only through joint efforts and measures can we counteract the consequences of climate change and ensure a sustainable future.