One year after the 2024 flood: The recovery continues
Published: Sep 11, 2025 Reading time: 8 minutes Share: Share an articleA year ago, devastating floods hit North Moravia and Silesia. 7 people died, over 5,500 homes were affected, and the damage reached CZK 70 billion. An extraordinary wave of solidarity brought more than CZK 500 million through our SOS Floods 2024 appeal, which made it possible to help thousands of families. But even after a year, people and the landscape still need support.
Early on, we assisted more than 3,600 affected households with over CZK 180 million—each receiving up to CZK 50,000 to cover urgent needs, such as the costs of drying out, temporary accommodation, or kitchen and bedroom equipment.
As agreed with our partner organisations, we provided cash to everyone whose homes were flooded, so that people in all places received the same amount.
Our colleagues visited and monitored homes along the riverbanks, assessing the extent of damage, assisting with documentation for insurance companies, and providing further support.
"Heating assistance was important during the winter—what was originally a small initiative grew to supply thousands of tonnes of pellets, dry wood and wood briquettes to families in need," says Aleš Souček, Head of Flood Relief.
We supplied more than 2,200 homes with 2,700 cubic metres of dry wood and almost 3,300 tonnes of pellets and wood briquettes. We also helped 691 households to repair or equip them with heating systems.
"We continue to assist individuals and associations, focusing on those who cannot help themselves," says Aleš Souček. "In addition to material damage, people need psychosocial support to cope with trauma, practical advice for dealing with the authorities, and long-term support in returning to normal life."
Housing renovation is a priority
We are focused on rebuilding housing and infrastructure and assisting in difficult situations. People are still dealing with major material damage, demolitions, and related impacts.
We are focusing on providing adequate housing for families whose homes suffered extensive damage or had to be demolished.
We support applicants in negotiating administrative tasks when submitting grant applications to the Czech Government’s Element 3 programme.
Over 50 families with badly damaged homes and demolitions are currently dealing with two types of problems:
Many are waiting for insurance payouts and approval of subsidies under Element 3
The second group is still working on a housing renewal strategy, whether through construction, purchase or renovation. They need to document the expected costs and process an application for Element 3.
Only after clarifying the payments, insurance policies, and subsidies and concluding the housing reconstruction strategy, will we individually evaluate the number of contributions, which can range from hundreds of thousands to two million crowns. "We have reserved CZK 100 million for this assistance. When evaluating the amount of the contribution, we take into account the socio-economic situation of individual households," says Aleš Souček.
We are also restoring community life
Our assistance is also directed towards the restoration of community life, where we supported 37 projects for more than CZK 7 million.
The largest portion went to 17 sports clubs to modernise their facilities, purchase new equipment, or expand their activities for local children and youth.
We also support fire departments for the purchase of equipment and technology; likewise, we support kindergartens to improve play and educational spaces, a shelter providing accommodation and services, and scout centres.
Stories from the field
One of those affected was Mr. Jaroslav from Jeseník. "After the September floods, my house was partially demolished. While I was trying to dry my home, I had alternative accommodation in Bruntál, and commuting was financially difficult for me, so People in Need helped me by paying for fuel. I also learned that I could apply for Element 3 to buy a house outside the flood zone. The employees from the Jeseník branch helped me with the application, and since the state subsidy would not cover the entire purchase price, I received a donation from the SOS Floods appeal, which covered this amount. Thanks to that, I will be signing a contract for a new house."
Mrs. Ivana is helping her father with the repairs to the house, which was originally supposed to be demolished. "The firefighters came to us at the time and said they thought the house could be saved. The structural engineer inspected it and said that repairs would be possible, so the firefighters temporarily supported the house. Due to his health, my father is unable to deal with the house, so my family and I are taking care of the repairs and raising funds."
They used state grants and a general donation from us to start the repairs. However, the structural integrity of the house was so damaged that the utilities could not be restored, and the street on which the house stands is still closed a year after the flood. "We received a financial donation from People in Need in August, which partially covered the structural integrity of the house. We are very grateful for your cooperation; without your organisation, it would have been really difficult for us," adds Mrs. Ivana.
Our assistance in nutshell
As part of the SOS Floods appeal, people and companies have contributed more than CZK 500 million. Of this, we have already spent CZK 334 million to support local people in the affected areas. We will gradually use all the funds that have been raised.
We supported more than 3,600 households with flooded living spaces with a total amount of over CZK180 million, each receiving up to CZK 50,000 to cover urgent needs.
In cooperation with the Food Bank, we delivered food and drinking water to the air bridge that supplied the cut-off villages in the Jesenik region. We distributed wheelbarrows, shovels, brooms, disinfectant and work gloves to the municipal warehouses. We delivered 23 small excavators and carts to villages, which accelerated the removal of alluvium and mud. We also donated dozens of demolition hammers. The total value of material aid was almost CZK 11 million.
- Over 2,200 households received fuel for the winter worth almost CZK 24 million—3,285 tonnes of pellets and wood briquettes and 2,700 cubic metres of dry firewood.
- 690 households received grants for the renovation of heating systems worth a total of CZK 23 million.
We contributed over CZK 7 million to local associations and societies for flood reconstruction.
1,700 people received psychosocial assistance, many repeatedly.
We want a landscape resilient to disaster
In addition to direct assistance, we will provide CZK 50 million for the prevention of natural disasters. These funds will be directed towards flood prevention and eco-friendly measures in the Krnov and Jesenik regions, as well as support programs for local governments, schools, associations, and residents.
In addition to direct assistance, we will provide CZK 50 million for the prevention of natural disasters. These funds will be directed towards flood prevention and eco-friendly measures in the Krnov and Jesenik regions, as well as support programs for local governments, schools, associations, and residents.
"The aid from the collection goes to municipalities that are still vulnerable to floods and are striving to reduce the risk of flood damage in the future. In cooperation with their leadership, local residents, and other interested partners, studies are already being developed for water management and landscape measures, which, in addition to flood protection, will also act as drought prevention and replenishment of drinking water supplies. Among the first are the municipalities of Krasov and Brantice on the Krasovce River or the municipality of Mikulovice on the Bělá River," says Magdalena Davis, Director of Climate Programmes at People in Need.
In Jesenik and Krnov, we work primarily in the area of restoration—we will support the restoration of settlements aimed at greater resilience and the revitalisation of waterways in a manner close to nature.
We also focus on supporting water retention in the landscape, which acts as a prevention against climate extremes—not only floods, but also long-term drought, erosion and landslides. “We also try to be a bonding element supporting cooperation for better recovery, especially at the local level,” adds Michal Kristýnek, Coordinator of our Landscape Resilience Projects.
What is the plan for further assistance?
- Individual housing reconstruction: CZK 100 million for individual assistance with the reconstruction of the most damaged dwellings (assistance to the most vulnerable households with houses scheduled for demolition or with significant damage).
- Prevention of natural disasters: CZK 50 million for flood prevention and preventive measures (we design and implement nature-friendly measures that slow down water and ensure its retention in the landscape together with local people).
- Additional assistance: CZK 16 million for assistance to public institutions, minor construction work, psychosocial assistance and other forms of support for households and institutions.
Thank you to all donors ❤!️
Our assistance would not be possible without close cooperation with key partners:
