Merkel visits North Rhine-Westphalia hit by storm | Abroad

In the aftermath of the severe weather, the discussion about disaster relief has flared up in Germany. People in the affected areas were said to have been warned too late via the text message system. Merkel said at a press conference that the government will explore ways to improve the system. Merkel also promised that more money will be made available for the reconstruction than in previous floods and to ensure that “the money gets to the people quickly.” “I hope this is just a matter of days,” she said.

Prime Minister Laschet, who is a candidate on behalf of the Christian Democrats to succeed Merkel as chancellor after the September elections, warned that “we have to accept that this will become more and more common in the coming years.” He therefore advocated a comprehensive program to adapt rivers to the effects of climate change.

Laschet also acknowledged that cleanup and repair work is sometimes hampered by bureaucracy. “In Germany we are perfect, but we are also perfect in bureaucracy.”

Merkel already visited areas in Rhineland-Palatinate that were badly hit by the storms and floods last week. At least 121 people were killed in Rhineland-Palatinate and 48 in North Rhine-Westphalia. In Belgium, the death toll has risen to 31. The National Crisis Center in Belgium reported on Tuesday afternoon that 53 people are still missing. More than 100 people are still missing in Germany.

–