The Slovak government has announced plans to provide significant financial assistance to local and regional authorities for flood-related damages. Prime Minister Robert Fico, following an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday, emphasized that although the damages are substantial, they are within the state’s capacity to handle. Fico also highlighted ongoing cooperation between the government and local municipalities to create a list of damaged properties. He reassured that compensation would come through existing mechanisms, such as those from the Ministry of Labour, much like the support offered after the 2023 earthquake in eastern Slovakia.
Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba confirmed that even despite the severe flooding, there has not been as much damage caused as in surrounding countries. According to his estimates, the total cost of damages in Slovakia will be in the millions of euros, instead of billion. Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok outlined the various compensation mechanisms, including humanitarian aid. He explained that once the emergency phase ends, municipalities will assess the damage, and within a month or two, financial assistance will be dispatched to local governments for further distribution.
In addition to domestic relief efforts, Minister Taraba pointed out that discussions are underway with international partners, notably Poland, about reallocating unused EU funds for flood mitigation and recovery. Slovakia has also expressed solidarity with other countries hit by the floods. While declining Ukraine’s offer of assistance, Eštok said that Slovakia is prepared to extend help to neighbouring countries, including the Czech Republic, Austria, and Poland, where a state of emergency has been declared.
Source: TASR
