Norway to send 323 000 sandbags to flood-stricken Hungary

This week, Norway is to send 323 000 sandbags to flood-stricken Hungary. Heavy rains have caused extensive flooding in Central Europe in recent weeks.

Hungary has requested assistance from European countries in order to meet its immediate need for two million sandbags to strengthen its flood containment capacity. The Norwegian Armed Forces are providing 323 000 sandbags, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Norway’s contribution is a result of its participation in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

“The flooding in Hungary is expected to continue, and the country is in urgent need of sandbags. We are pleased to be able to help when European countries are hit by disasters. EU cooperation in this area is important for strengthening civil emergency preparedness in the region, and for making European emergency response efforts more effective,” Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre commented.

 Over the last few weeks, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary have experienced widespread flooding due to heavy rainfall. So far, there have been 20 reported deaths as a result of the floods in Poland. Further rainfall is forecast for the next three days in Central Europe.