Help for families

After the flood, the “Christ Child” arrived in a red uniform

Red Cross teams presented flood victims with gifts.(Bild: Markus Hechenberger)

Many tears were shed by families who lost their belongings in the floods. But now the Red Cross has brought tears of joy.

For many people in Lower Austria, their lives were turned upside down in September. "They lost their homes in the floods and had to move into temporary accommodation. Many have still not been able to return," says Red Cross President Hans Ebner.

Christmas tree, toys and a cheque
With the help of numerous donors, the rescue organization was able to launch a Christmas campaign for such families: equipped with cheques, Red Cross teams went out as "Christmas children" to particularly affected flood victims. 35 families with 32 children received between 7500 and 10,000 euros each. "The sums were made up of a basic amount and an amount per family member," explains Hannes Buxbaum, Regional Director for Social Services at the Red Cross. There were also Christmas trees, fairy lights and toy vouchers for Christmas Eve.

Lots of "Christkinderln" in Red Cross uniform.(Bild: Markus Hechenberger)

The Red Cross helpers also had Christmas trees for the flood victims.(Bild: Markus Hechenberger)

The Bittlingmayer family was also able to rejoice after the flood shock(Bild: Markus Hechenberger)

Red Cross teams deployed once again
Volunteers from the district offices in Amstetten, Scheibbs, Buck an der Leitha, Krems, Neunkirchen and Tulln were on the move from Judenau, Markersdorf-Haindorf, Rust and Wilfersdorf to Tulln, St. Georgen am Steinfelde, Inning, Kapelln and Schildberg to Heiligeneich, Atzeldorf and Klosterneuburg. "After everyone had helped with the floods, it was time to move out again to the affected villages. But this time, instead of tears of despair, there were tears of joy," says Provincial Rescue Commander Wolfgang Frühwirt.