Ireland to provide aid to Flood Victims in Prague

The Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Overseas Development Assistance, Tom Kitt, today allocated €200,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance to the people of Prague.

Minister Kitt said today that "temporary shelter and other essential relief is needed immediately for the many people who have been evacuated from their homes in the Czech Republic as a result of the flooding.

Ireland Aid will work to ensure that our assistance reaches the elderly and other vulnerable groups affected by the floods as quickly as possible".

Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has also written to the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Dr. Vladimir Spidla, to express his sympathy and solidarity for the tragic loss of life caused by the floods.

Kitt also announced additional Ireland Aid funding of €100,000 to assist flood victims in Romania and in Slovakia, bringing Ireland's total contribution in response to the flooding in Central Europe to €300,000.