The current storm situation poses major challenges for large parts of Central and Eastern Europe. In the Czech Republic, there is talk of a millennium flood and Lower Austria is considered a disaster area. In some areas along the Danube, Oder, Elbe and their tributaries, up to 400 litres of rain per square metre fell at times.

We are helping the people affected in various ways. In Austria, the flooding led to technical defects in some of our stores and had an impact on our staff situation, as many employees were affected by the storm themselves. Due to many road closures, some stores could not be supplied, so some locations were closed and have since reopened. Nevertheless, we were able to help quickly on site with goods distributed by volunteers and special deliveries to supply emergency services and those affected.

Thanks to close coordination with the local authorities and emergency services, it was possible to provide aid quickly and ensure supplies in the crisis areas. Copyright: REWE Group
Support for affected employees
Marcel Haraszti, Management Board member of REWE International AG, thanked the thousands of emergency services and employees: "Many thanks to the thousands of emergency services who have been working tirelessly since Friday to ensure the safety of the population. A big thank you also to our colleagues from the shops and warehouse locations who are helping out in the crisis area and ensuring basic supplies. Some of our locations were also affected by the floods. We have also already organised additional deliveries to provide emergency services and those affected in the crisis areas with urgently needed food and drink. We will of course also support those employees who are affected by the floods themselves."

Deliveries of food and drink were sent to the flood areas to provide food and drink for those affected and the emergency services. Copyright: REWE Group
Rapid delivery of aid to crisis areas in Austria and the Czech Republic
Thanks to close coordination with the local authorities and emergency services, help could be provided quickly and supplies ensured in the crisis areas. For example, supply points were set up in some BILLA stores in Lower Austria for the emergency services, which were looked after by BILLA volunteers last Sunday. In addition, aid deliveries from BILLA, PENNY and BIPA were sent to Kamptal to provide food for those affected and the emergency services. Local ADEG retailers are also supplying emergency services in the regions with food and drinks.

In addition, from now until the end of the year, all donations from the "Round up, please" initiative will go to "Austria helps Austria" and thus to those affected by the floods. REWE Group has already tripled the expected donation amount to 75,000 euros in order to provide immediate financial aid.

PENNY and BILLA are also helping people affected by the floods in the Czech Republic. Employees whose homes have been damaged by the floods are receiving support in the form of financial assistance for repairs as well as continued payment of wages during the clean-up work.

BILLA and PENNY are working closely with food banks and the Red Cross in the Czech Republic to supply the affected regions with food such as water, ready-made soups, coffee and tea.