Deploring the many victims of the heavy rainfalls and catastrophic flooding in Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland among others, CESI bows down before the victims and expresses its deepest gratitude and respect to all those who saved, assisted and helped people in need.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: ‘As I come from a region in Germany which was severely hit, I witnessed the situation on the spot last week-end. The pictures engraved in my mind are deeply oppressive. The dimension of the devastations and the losses is hard to convey. But what I will also remember are pictures of rescue, help, assistance and solidarity. Fire-fighters, police, ambulances, life saving associations, rescue and social services were literally everywhere. And besides all the grieving and mourning there is hope. Hope and deep gratitude.’

Scientists believe that climate disruption will bring more extreme weather events in the near future. Now more than ever, it is obvious that our communities need strong infrastructure to mitigate the impact of such events, as well as investment in emergency services. Next to long-term climate change prevention policies, we need a direct response, because the effects of climate change are already happening.

(Liège, July 2021, AFP)