“I've seen the Jēkabpils flooding myself once, maybe not the same volume, but I know what it means to lose property and what the rapid coming of water means. Then I simply cannot be indifferent,” said Inga, head of a transport company.
When discovering that the water level in Daugava has reached the critical border, Inga offered Jēkabpils residents assistance – transport to remove their goods from flood-stricken areas and store them for some time.
She is one of the many residents of Latvia who helps people affected by the floods. Many offer both accommodation and transport. A variety of things like clothing, too.
The head of the Society “Let's Help Each Other” (Palīdzēsim viens otram), Edijs Pipars, said that there were more of those offering help than those asking for it.
"This is a somewhat fresh event, the flooding is continuing. When the flood recedes, I predict that then the cries for help will reach us too, because then people will understand the real situation and the real damage. And then they'll understand what they need. It seems to me now that relatives, friends, all families help each other," Pipars said.
Meanwhile, “Ziedot.lv” has started collecting money for flood victims. Within two and a half days, 50,000 euros have been collected. The charity's chief executive, Rūta Dimanta, said that people from abroad were also donating: “We took the decision to launch donations because we realized that the Jēkabpilians would need acute help and also because many people were interested in how they could help. The amounts vary greatly from 1 euro to several hundred euros. Interestingly, also from abroad, I assume they are compatriots, from the Netherlands and from Germany and Britain."
The money donated to the organization will be distributed to the flood victims when they have the opportunity to return home and understand what kind of assistance is needed.
The government is also thinking about financial support for the population, but its size will only be decided after water levels are stabilized and losses are calculated.
