Flood victims told to seek aid quickly

THE Irish Red Cross appealed to flood victims yesterday to send application forms for humanitarian aid as quickly as possible after it emerged that only 220 have applied so far.

An estimated 500 householders in Cork city and county, Clonmel, Arklow, Enniscorthy, Waterford and Wexford who suffered damage during last month’s severe floods are expected to seek aid.

The Irish Red Cross has been appointed as the agency to process the applications and distribute the aid.

The Government has not indicated how much will be paid out to flood victims and will not do so until it gets a full assessment from the Irish Red Cross. The money available is expected to be in line with previous flood relief schemes where the average payout was €10,000.

Flood victims will need to prove hardship under one or more of the following headings: death, serious injury, damage to home or extreme hardship when applying for humanitarian aid.

An Irish Red Cross spokeswoman said: “So far we have just got inquiries from 220 people looking for application forms. We would urge people who are looking for aid to get a form as quickly as possible because the closing date is November 24.”

Insurance details must be included on the form, and photographic evidence, paid invoices or estimates can be used to support the claim.

Once an application has been received, the Irish Red Cross will send out assessors to the homes of each flood victim and file a report. The funds will not be paid out until the Irish Red Cross has completed its interim assessment and given its report to Government.

Junior Environment Minister Batt O’Keeffe urged those effected to submit their applications as soon as possible.

For an application form call the Irish Red Cross direct at: 1850-507070 or go to www.redcross.ie/irishfloods.