Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle today (25 May) called the Polish Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, to discuss the current flooding in Poland. During the conversation with his Polish colleague, Minister Westerwelle expressed the sympathy of the Federal Government over the lives lost in the floods. Foreign Minister Sikorski thanked Minister Westerwelle for his condolences and for the wide-ranging efforts and commitment of German helpers in the fight against the floods on the Oder and Vistula.

Background:

Four flood modules from the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) have been in place in the flood regions in Poland since last week. At the weekend, in response to a request from the country, the THW sent a fifth module to Poland. This means there are now more than 70 THW experts in Poland working with 15 heavy-duty pumps and other equipment to help overcome the disaster.

Additional assistance is being provided by German cities and municipalities. For instance, fire brigade units from Bavaria, Hesse and Baden-Württemberg have gone to help in Poland on their own initiative.