Flemish Disaster Fund has not paid out a single euro after 2021 floods

Two years after the catastrophic floods of 2021, the Flemish Disaster Fund has not paid out a single euro to the victims, Het Belang van Limburg reported on Saturday. The mid-July floods affected Wallonia and caused rivers in Flanders to burst their banks. In particular, several municipalities in Limburg suffered material damage.

The Flemish Disaster Fund intervened for some victims who were not insured. In total, 74 Flemish municipalities submitted a total of 377 files. Of these, 59 were rejected. The total amount to be paid out is estimated at 11.2 million euros.

"We are working to pay this amount after the summer"

Two years later, no money has been paid out. The office of Flemish minister-president Jan Jambon (N-VA) said processing the applications took a long time, adding: "We are working to pay this amount after the summer."

Insurance companies have already paid out 2.4 billion euros. "97 per cent of the 74,000 files submitted have now been closed. In particular, buildings that must be put out to public tender or whose destination has not yet been decided are still open," said Barbara Van Speybroeck of industry association Assuralia.

Unprecedented floods

In July 2021, Belgium was hit by unprecedented floods that mainly affected areas along the Meuse and its tributaries in Wallonia. The 10 municipalities most affected were Chaudfontaine, Esneux, Eupen, Liège, Limbourg, Pepinster, Rochefort, Theux, Trooz and Verviers.

At least 41 people died as a result of the floods. Several houses collapsed, while about 20,000 people were left without electricity and drinking water was contaminated.

The floods also hit several other countries in Europe. The north-western interior of central Europe was particularly affected, including Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, the UK and Switzerland.

^{#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO MAXIME ASSELBERGHS}

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