First, I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who continue to fight the elements tirelessly residents, administration, emergency services, and above all, volunteers. Poland is a country where solidarity is not an empty slogan. Here, solidarity means real action. I am moved by this attitude, and I am very proud of it.
The authorities of the flooded villages, towns, and cities are still unable to assess the full scale of the destruction and losses, and some areas are still bracing for the worst.
However, we must already start thinking about support. I trust that the European Commission will consider all requests for assistance available under various funds urgently and with due diligence.
I would also like to call for the adoption of a regulation that would allow flexible use of the full potential of cohesion funds, as well as the Recovery and Resilience Facility, to tackle the effects of this crisis just as was done during the COVID-19 pandemic and after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
In March 2020, just two weeks after the pandemic began, regulations were already amended to enable us to intervene very close to the people affected. Similarly, in 2022, this Parliament’s response to the outbreak of war in Ukraine was appropriate to the needs and expectations at the time. I expect and ask for the full engagement of all institutions on behalf of the residents affected by natural disasters in Europe