Czech Government Approves Flood Relief Measures

The news in Czech

Translation

The Czech parliament has approved aid for people affected by the floods. Families can receive money for children under 10 if schools are closed. The state will also assist with housing and living costs. This mainly applies to the Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions. The law is now awaiting the president's signature.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: Who can receive money for children if schools are closed?

Families with children under 10 years old can receive money.

Question 2: Which areas are mainly affected by the flood relief measures?

The Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions are mainly affected.

Exercise: Vocabulary

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▌23/10/2024

The Czech Parliament has approved a package of emergency financial assistance aimed at aiding individuals and families severely affected by the recent floods. This legislation, passed unanimously by the Chamber of Deputies, is currently awaiting review by the Senate, which is expected to deliberate in an expedited manner next week. The measures are set to take effect following the President’s signature, likely in November.

Under the new law, parents will be eligible to receive childcare benefits for children under ten whose schools have been temporarily closed due to flood damage. This benefit could extend up to March next year. For households that have been flooded, the state will cover living expenses to a certain limit through exceptional immediate aid, available until the end of next year.

Czech Government Approves Flood Relief Measures (Illustration)

The relief package is particularly targeted at regions such as Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc, which bore the brunt of the floods. Households affected can receive up to CZK 72,900, which is equivalent to fifteen times the minimum subsistence level. For economically disadvantaged families, the amount can increase to CZK 97,200, or twenty times the minimum subsistence level. In cases of extreme hardship, these sums could be doubled to a maximum of CZK 194,400, according to Iva Merhautová of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

The proposed law also outlines provisions for temporary accommodation support for those whose homes are uninhabitable and require repair or complete rebuilding. Beneficiaries can continue to receive support until their homes are restored or until they find new accommodation, with the deadline set for the end of next year. Monthly allocations range from CZK 15,000 for a single person up to CZK 24,000 for families of four or more.

Regular sick leave benefits typically cover up to nine days for children up to ten years old, and sixteen days for single parents, providing 60% of the caregiver's reduced earnings. However, under this legislation, flooded area parents will receive prolonged support for the entire duration of school closures. Currently, 57 schools in affected regions have reported closures, with another 12 transitioning to remote learning.

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