- Published: 21.05.2014.
PM says government to discuss aid to flood victims
All measures the government will adopt at its urgent session on Thursday in Zupanja, the town closest to the flooded areas, will refer to measures aimed at removing the consequences of the floods and direct assistance to the people, Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic told reporters at the construction site of the International Airport Zagreb (MZLZ) on Wednesday.
Asked what declaring a state of disaster for Vukovar-Srijem County would mean for the recently flooded areas, Milanovic said the government decided that it must take matters into its own hands, in accordance with the law, and that this was the most efficient thing to do, given the omissions made by county and local authorities.This primarily means that the government is assuming responsibility for everything, Milanovic told the press ahead of a ceremony, marking the start of the construction of the new passenger terminal at MZLZ.
The PM confirmed Croatia would ask the European Union for assistance to alleviate the consequences of the floods.
To be able to receive money from the Solidarity Fund, Croatia will have to prove that damage caused by the recent floods exceed 0.6% of GDP, which is nearly HRK 2 billion, the PM said, adding that in order to be able to apply for the European Solidarity Fund, damage must exceed EUR 280 million.
He underscored that means from the Solidarity Fund were not intended for private persons hit by the floods, adding that the government would provide for them.
Milanovic said the government would hire international experts to see why the levee in Rajevo Selo village broke.
The PM assured reporters that the government was handling the flood situation.
(Hina)