HUNGARY: CEB intervenes in one of its priority sectors to help Hungary tackle the consequences of natural and ecological disasters

By virtue of this agreement, the CEB will provide Hungary with more than 60% of the funds estimated necessary to address the aftermath of two major natural and ecological disasters that affected the country and its population as well as implement prevention measures aimed at reducing the likelihood of similar repeat events in the future.

In 2010, Hungary was hit by two successive catastrophes, namely extreme weather conditions during the first half of the year, particularly in the North-Eastern and Central parts of the country, followed, in early October, by the collapse of an industrial reservoir at an aluminium plant near Ajka, in Western Hungary. Weeks of near-continuous rainfall led to severe flooding and widespread damage to public infrastructure, residential property, business and agriculture as well as the evacuation of several thousand people. The industrial dam burst released over one million cubic meters of toxic red mud into the surrounding environment, with the ensuing contamination of farm land, water resources and villages.

The CEB’s funds will help the Hungarian authorities with the financing of reconstruction, decontamination and clean-up measures to the immediate benefit of disaster victims and affected flora and fauna, as well as the implementation of flood prevention works.