VoltVillages affected by the floods requested the federal government to appoint a special commissioner to rebuild the Ahr Valley.This is an open letter from the Altenahr community to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Rhineland-Palatinate Chancellor Maru Dreyer Appeared. Letters sent over the weekend can be used by FAZ.
“The federal government must appoint a special representative with very broad powers to rebuild the Aar Valley,” wrote the representatives of the municipality; they included Altenahr Mayor Cornelia Weigand, and Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager and related local mayors.
Given the extent of the damage, “it is clear that all previous aid and its organization were not even enough.” Nevertheless, they expressed appreciation for their willingness to donate and also mentioned the efforts of the federal government and state governments.
Enabling the operation of schools and daycare centers
The envoy must formulate a reconstruction plan and lead its implementation. Among other things, the plan should consider nine points. On the one hand, it must be “immediately committed” when electricity, water and sewage treatment can be expected and at what point heating can be restarted. In addition, the transportation infrastructure needs to be rebuilt quickly. The letter emphasized concerns about the possible migration of citizens. “If there is no existing road and rail infrastructure, many people will not stay in the Aar Valley,” it said. After all, many residents of the Ahr Valley work in Bonn, Cologne and surrounding areas.
The signatory pointed out that even after the summer vacation, many schools and daycare centers were unable to resume operations in “seriously damaged buildings” and hospitals were “almost impossible to operate.” Must quickly show “a clear idea of good emergency care”.
In addition, the signatories called for security guarantees for future floods. “This time there is usually no warning,” they wrote. “Don’t make the same mistake again!”
Another point of the reconstruction plan is the “flood prevention construction project.” The letter stated that bridges and individual buildings should be “reconstructed only in ways that do not become fatal traffic jams”. Experts should propose construction methods that can prevent or at least reduce damage in future heavy rains. New construction areas should be designated for residents of floodplains. For this reason, “special construction areas” must be created very quickly to build new houses.
In addition, on the issue of rising insurance costs in the Ahr Valley, the letter’s signatory called for: “Ensure that everyone can insure on acceptable terms.”
Finally, the letter called for “fast and simple financial development assistance” for viticulture and tourism companies. They said the proposed tax measures were not enough. In addition, the reconstruction plan should also consider the individual. “Many people lose everything, and sometimes even have to pay back what was washed away.” What is needed is a “reasonable combination” of transfer payments, promotional loans, and tax relief.
The latter point of the recovery plan is to recommend the start of a trauma management plan. “Almost everyone in the Aar Valley has been severely traumatized,” the letter said. “The terrible picture will accompany us to the end of life.”
