The Luxembourg Red Cross and Caritas Luxembourg have issued a statement to thank the Luxembourg population for the great outpouring of solidarity that they encountered after their appeal for donations to help the victims of the floods of 22 July.

A total of more than €140,000 was collected following the appeal and will go towards families affected most by the floods. Affected families, whose economic situation is deemed to be fragile, can receive aid by first filling in a form issued by the Ministry of Family, Integration and Greater Region (see www.mfi.public.lu/actualites/2016/07/25_Solidarite/index.html, in both French and German). For thoses seeking assistance in completing the form, they may contact the social helpline of the Luxembourg Red Cross (tel: 2755) or Caritas Luxembourg (tel: 402131-1). They both cooperate with regional head offices in order to identify the most urgent situations.

Support is available along the following lines:

- A zero-interest loan for a maximum amount of €10,000, over a maximum period of 12 months, for housing or equipment rehabilitation;

- Additional places in their holiday camps to avoid children losing the opportunity of going on holiday this summer;

- Coverage of all holiday cancellation costs (excluding those covered by insurance) in the event that the affected families can not afford to pay the amount of the cancellation of its holiday;

- The possibility to obtain payment for a damage "expertise" if it is not covered by the Ministry of Family, Integration and Greater Region, the municipality, insurance or social services;

- Opportunities for those who have lost everything, to choose essential clothing in the National Collection Centre and Tri - located at 6 rue François Hogenberg, L-1735 Luxembourg;

- Emergency grants, capped at €500 for specific and individual emergencies.

The priority in the allocation of aid is based on evaluation of financial insecurity criteria of families.

In the case of surplus funds remaining over from public donations, following the award of individual aid to families as detailed above, they will be assigned to, e.g. the volunteer fire brigade who rescued the victims, in the form of support donations.

Following the announcement of the Luxembourg Government on 29 July to release €30 million to help victims, the Luxembourg Red Cross and Caritas Luxembourg have decided to close their appeal for donations, as the collected funds currently cover claims.