Working group to discuss federal storm surge aid
Following the severe storm surge in the Baltic Sea, talks have begun with the federal government on how to cope with the damage. "In view of the severe storm surge on our Baltic Sea coast, we have been able to take a first step towards solidarity-based financial support from the federal and state governments," said Schleswig-Holstein's Minister-President Daniel Günther (CDU) on Tuesday after the Minister-Presidents' Conference in Berlin.
A joint working group had been agreed with Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Minister President Manuela Schwesig and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (both SPD). "It will meet in the next two to three weeks to discuss the possible form of support," said Günther.
Following damage estimated at 200 million euros in Schleswig-Holstein, the state government is planning a special fund "Reconstruction Flood Disaster 2023". The storm surge caused enormous destruction along the Baltic coast on the night of October 21. One woman lost her life on Fehmarn.
The joint working group, comprising of Schleswig-Holstein's Minister-President Daniel Günther, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Minister President Manuela Schwesig, and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, will convene in the next few weeks to deliberate on the form of federal storm surge aid in Parliament. The Parliament must also take into account the devastating impact of the storm on the coastal areas, causing an estimated 200 million euros in damage in Schleswig-Holstein alone.
Source: www.dpa.com
