EU chief visits flood-stricken region and pledges billions in swift aid

A damaged house after recent floods near Pisecna in the Czech Republic (Petr David Josek/AP)

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday pledged billions of euros for flood recovery for Central European countries that suffered enormous damage to infrastructure and housing during the current flooding that has claimed 24 lives in the region.

Ms Von der Leyen paid a visit to a flood-damaged region in southeastern Poland and met the government heads of the affected countries — Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.