Hungary: EU response to toxic flooding

Written by Super User 31 Oct 2010

EU crisis response commisioner Kristalina Georgieva says massive toxic flooding in Hungary that killed nine people and injured more than 120 others has underscored the need for a stronger European disaster response. Since October 4 about 800,000 cubic-meters of toxic sludge has leaked from a reservoir of a metals plant flooding towns and villages in an area as large as 40 square kilometres. Experts from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden are investigating the sludge and hope to provide European assistance similar to that given to the US oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. But Hungary would not receive additional money from the EU solidarity fund because the chemical spill was allegedly caused by human error. They may transfer funds from rural development protection projects. Commissioner Georgieva, who has visited the devastated villages and towns will present a European strategy for disaster response by the end of this month.

Pray: that Commissioner Georgieva is able to produce guidelines for stronger and better responses when livelihoods are destroyed and people killed. (Ps.67:1-2)

More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/14128-news-watch-european-aid-in-hungarys-toxic-flooding

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