March 12, 2025
Press release
Six months after the devastating floods that hit the Czech Republic mid-September, Caritas Czech Republic continues to support the victims of this natural disaster. The initial phase of aid, which focused on swift material and financial support for people from flooded households, has now been concluded. In cooperation with other non-profit organizations, Caritas is preparing the second phase of assistance—targeted support for those in especially difficult situations. This aid will be funded by donations from public and church collections, which raised a total of 158 million CZK.
Immediately after the floods, Caritas employees and volunteers were deployed in the affected areas to assess and repair the damage, deliver materials, and provide psychosocial and financial support. Working within the Integrated Rescue System, they cooperated closely with local authorities.
To ensure maximum efficiency, the affected areas were soon divided among non-profit organizations (ADRA, the Czech Red Cross, People in Need, Diaconia, and Caritas Czech Republic). Their staff and volunteers conducted on-site assessments and coordinated aid to avoid overlap and ensure effective coverage.
Within Caritas, the Archdiocesan Caritas Olomouc responded in the Jeseník and Litovel regions, while the Caritas of the Ostrava-Opava Diocese coordinated efforts in the broader Ostrava and Opava areas. Local Caritas organizations also assisted households in the České Budějovice, Hradec Králové, and Liberec regions, where the September floods were less severe.
As part of the initial relief efforts, the affected municipalities primarily received material aid, food, cleaning supplies, and an influx of volunteers. Caritas distributed nearly 900 dehumidifiers, cleaning machines, 380 tools and equipment, and many packs of disinfectants. In addition to material and physical aid, Caritas staff provided counseling and psychosocial support. Households whose living areas had been destroyed by the flood received direct financial assistance of 50.000 – a sum agreed upon by all participating NGOs.
More than 1.050 Caritas workers and volunteers were deployed to the affected areas, assisting with cleanup efforts and conducting assessments in over 1.400 households.
- Caritas Czech Republic’s donation account (account number: 44665522/0800, VS: 906) received a total of 158 million CZK.
- Of this amount, nearly 50 million CZK came from a church collection announced by Czech and Moravian bishops during services on Sunday, September 29, 2024.
- These funds were used for purchasing materials and equipment and for the uniform direct financial assistance.
- The first phase of aid has been concluded.
The first phase of our assistance focused on addressing the most urgent problems—delivering material aid, drying homes, and providing financial support to affected families. This acute phase is now closed, but we are well aware that the process of rebuilding homes and lives takes much longer than the floods themselves. That’s why we’re now entering the next phase of aid, focusing on households in the greatest need. Our support will continue as long as necessary,
says Lukáš Curylo, Director of Caritas Czech Republic.
He also highlights that Caritas centers in the affected areas continued to operate even in the most difficult moments, despite challenging conditions. Even when some local Caritas offices were flooded themselves, they did not stop helping their clients and continued to provide health and social services – especially to seniors, the sick, people with disabilities, and the socially excluded.
Thanks to our colleagues from local Caritas branches, we know that for many families, the floods didn’t end in September – they’re still dealing with the consequences and trying to restore their homes,
explains Vít Kraus, Emergency Coordinator for Caritas Czech Republic.
He adds that, as of January this year, Caritas Czech Republic has distributed over 57 million CZK to 1.143 households. From its own resources, Caritas provided 41.05 million CZK to 821 households (425 in the Ostrava-Opava Diocese, 377 in the Olomouc Archdiocese, and 19 in the České Budějovice Diocese).
An additional 16.10 million CZK was distributed to 322 households (88 in the Ostrava-Opava Diocese and 234 in the Olomouc Archdiocese) from funds transferred by People in Need.
Second Phase of Assistance
Support for households continues and will persist. Following the initial response, Caritas Czech Republic is preparing the next wave of aid, focused on people and families who ended up in particularly difficult situations due to the floods. This phase of aid will again be carried out in coordination with other non-profit organizations. “We’re currently finalizing the details of follow-up financial support for specific aid projects,” says Vít Kraus.
“In our diocese, we completed monitoring for the second phase of aid at the end of February and are now evaluating the results and allocating funds,” adds Hana Mamčařová, Emergency Coordinator for the Caritas of the Ostrava-Opava Diocese.
We expect to start distributing funds in April. We primarily help families without flood insurance due to their location in flood-prone areas, seniors, single parents, and families whose homes had to be demolished,
she adds.
How can you help?
Donation Account – Caritas for the Flood Victims
Bank account:
IBAN: CZ2055000000001031009264
SWIFT: RZBCCZPP
Reference number: 906
Donate online
Media Contacts:
- Vít Kraus, Emergency Coordinator, Caritas Czech Republic
Email: cbGh1b5m%7c-T65j4mnhTj, Phone: +420 730 850 990 - Jan Oulík, Spokesperson, Caritas Czech Republic
Email: 58Ah5eba67c-T65j4mnhTj, Phone: +420 603 895 984
