Days of torrential rain have seen rivers burst their banks and brought destruction to towns in Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Romania. So far, seven people in Poland have been confirmed dead due to the floods.
Tusk said that the Polish finance minister informed him that €468 million in total has now been made available for the relief fund.
The government initially allocated €234 million to the flood relief fund, but officials later concluded that the amount was insufficient.
Tusk said the total losses of the floods could amount to several billion zlotys.
The prime minister welcomed news that Poland would receive financial help from the EU, adding that together with other country leaders he would press the European Commission for more money.
“I will be urging other countries that have also been affected by the floods to join us in pressing the European Commission firmly,” he added.
According to Polish news outlets, the head of the EU’s executive, Ursula von der Leyen, has confirmed plans to visit flood-hit areas in Poland this week.
PM slams ‘exploitation’ by firms
Meanwhile, Tusk raised concerns about reports of rising prices for essential items such as rubber boots and gloves in areas affected by the floods.
Tusk criticized businesses taking advantage of increased demand, calling it “exploitation.”
He also asked Poland's Office of Competition and Consumer Protection to investigate the issue immediately.
‘Bitter’ locals
Tusk has also railed against local government officials after meeting residents in the flood-hit southwestern town of Kłodzko. “For two hours I was catching it in the neck... because people are bitter and impatient if they haven’t had help,” he told a press conference.
“The flood victims feel alone – I appeal to all local government officials, be among the people. They need to see you.”
Tusk also emphasized the need to expedite aid: “It can’t be that mothers with children or seniors over 70 are clearing the debris from their homes,” he said.
Poland has declared a “state of natural disaster” in parts of the southwest and south.
The Ministry of Defense has confirmed that so far 10,000 soldiers have been drafted in to help combat the floods, build defenses and provide aid in stricken areas.
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has also allocated 500 military police to work alongside an additional 500 police officers to secure evacuated areas from looting.
Tuesday saw confusion after the mayor of the southwestern city of Wrocław, Jacek Sutryk, reported that a key reservoir just 45 kilometers to the southeast had overflowed.
Initially, Sutryk had said that the Mietków Reservoir had burst and called for an urgent evacuation of nearby towns. However, Sutryk later retracted the statement after regional water authorities confirmed that the facility was still operating as it should.
Even so, for the residents of Wrocław the coming days are set to be decisive with the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management saying that Thursday would most likely be the city’s day of reckoning.
