:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/403eba2a-e722-11eb-8efb-0218eaf05005.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1 "Entire country sympathizes with Limburg: ‘Appointment offered overwhelming’ | Inland")
Messages are pouring in every minute from people needing help in the affected area, and their cries for help are being heard. Dutch people from all over the country offer to help with clothing, food and drink, places to sleep and shelter for animals.
Life’s work destroyed
“I set up the page almost two days ago. I had a sleepless night and saw a video of a lady from the oil mill in Heerlen whose life’s work was destroyed by the water in a few minutes. I thought it was terrible. I thought: I can now stare sleeplessly at my screen or I’m going to set up something where people can find and offer help,” says Frigge. She herself lives in Heerlen.
Thousands of messages have already been posted on the dedicated page. According to the Heerlense, people mainly offer a place to sleep. “Places for animals are also offered throughout the country and it is offered to help clear up the sludge.” She has also set up a website for the same purpose: www.watersnoodlimburg-dierenhulp.nl.
Aid organizations
Frigge is urgently looking for a warehouse where people can send items such as food, water and clothing. “From there, it can reach the people who really need it through the aid organizations. I strongly advise people not to drive to Limburg now to bring things.”
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The damage caused by the floods in Valkenburg, among others, is extensive.
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The Red Cross helpline was called 91 times in the first 24 hours after opening. According to the aid organization, mainly by people who offer help, so far only a few concrete requests for help have been received. According to the aid organization, this makes sense so soon after the disaster: the priority is to get people to safety, both for the emergency services and for the people themselves.
Red Cross Helpline
The Red Cross calls on people to call the helpline on 070-4455888 if they need help with, for example, cleaning up or filling sandbags. The line is also open for a listening ear. People who want to offer help can sign up at Ready2Help. The aid organization asks helpers not to call the helpline in order to keep the line free for people in need.
Evert Bopp from Geleen, who provided worldwide assistance with his company during disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods, also offers his help. “Now that it’s happening in my own front yard, I’m trying to connect people who need and offer help.”
Through his company’s website, www.wolverinegrs.com/limburg-flooding-response, Limburgers who need help can report. “I have a team of fifteen volunteers who connect people. I know from experience that as soon as the floodwaters have subsided the large aid organizations leave, most people are left with the debris. For example, rubble has to be cleared and help is desperately needed,” says Bopp.
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