Flood relief in Mikulovice: A day full of solidarity and determination
In October, colleagues from MND Energy Storage set out to help people affected by the floods that swept through the Czech Republic and caused particularly severe damage in northern Moravia. Magda Lengálová has written a report for the readers of the Report, which can also serve as an inspiration - for example, to help the damaged municipality financially.
On Thursday, October 17, in the morning hours, we set out on a journey to Mikulovice, a village on the Polish-Czech border. The aim of our trip was to help in the aftermath of the devastating floods that hit this village. We organized the event in cooperation with associations that connected us with the local coordinator.
The river Bělá flows through Mikulovice and caused enormous damage during the flood. The predatory current took gardens with it, damaged houses and significantly damaged infrastructure. Approximately 225 people - roughly one in ten inhabitants of the village - found themselves homeless overnight. This situation resonated strongly with us, as some of us had experienced a devastating tornado ourselves two years ago and knew the pain that a natural disaster can bring. So it was clear that we had to offer help to the North.
Our group of twelve volunteers arrived in Mikulovice in the early morning hours. As soon as we arrived, we were divided into three teams: two male and one female group. The first team set to work on Mrs Babínská's house, helping to chip away at the damp and damaged facade. The second team of men helped clear the accumulated dirt from the garden shed and then moved on to clean a clogged embankment at a nearby small hydroelectric power station that had been damaged by a dam break. The river had dug two new channels there, making the situation even worse. The third group, made up of women, concentrated on cleaning the interior of the damaged house. This included removing mud and dirt from the floors.
During the day we met other helpers, including prisoners from Pribram who volunteer to help after natural disasters. "It's a nice change and a chance to do something meaningful," they told us with a smile.
Because we had limited time to help and wanted to be as efficient as possible, we worked until 5:30 in the afternoon. Our day in Mikulovice was filled not only with physical work, but also with a sense of belonging and determination.
We left tired, but with the feeling that we had contributed at least a little to the recovery of this affected village. We hope that our help will be the next step towards the return of Mikulovice to normal life.
Magda Lengálová
MND EC Assistant
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