At the press conference held in the Ministry of Interior’s National Centre for Emergency Management, György Bakondi, director general of the Disaster Management Authority said that during the summer flood protection was established in a 807,4 km long zone and only one settlement, Győrújfalu needed to be evacuated.

He also recalled that 18 687 law enforcement employees and 8300 soldiers, 89 special rescue organizations, 3500 volunteer ambulance workers, 1090 civilian guards and 36 780 registered volunteers participated in the work. He added that the mobilization and the protection of the dams were successful, no one died during the flood and there were no overwhelming damages, like in neighbouring countries affected by the flood. Due to the professionalism, organization and the excessive number of volunteers the protective works were successful.

Béla Molnár, director general of the Water Management Authority explained that there are 12 ice-breaker ships on the Tisza and 8 on the Danube that are ready to start work whenever needed. He also mentioned the strategic importance of buildings like the atomic plant of Paks, the protection of which is also organized.

Tibor Benkő Hungarian Chief of Defence stated that the Defence Forces are ready to handle a disaster situation, even under winter conditions. Special equipment and personnel are both well-prepared. He also mentioned the special vehicles that are needed in unusual environment. Zsolt Halmosi, major general also declared that the police forces are ready to perform all tasks that are necessary in case of a winter flood. He added that 3600 police officers can be mobilized in an hour and if needed this number can reach 10 thousand.

Source: Ministry of Defence