People in Rheines twin city severely affected by storm Kristina
Leiria/Rheine. It was less than three weeks ago that storm Kristina caused severe devastation in Leiria. The damage is now estimated by officials at between 1.5 and two billion euros in the Leiria area alone. In the meantime, however, Rheines Portuguese twin city is fighting on two fronts: Firstly, dealing with the consequences of the worst storm ever to hit the region. Secondly, the fight against forgetting – because other headlines have long been dominating the media stories.
Rheine as a twin town wants to set an example in this situation: “We cordially invite you to a benefit concert for the campaign ‘Rheine helps Leiria’ on Sunday, March 1, at 5 p.m. in the Dionyskirche,” reports Reiner Wellmann, Chairman of the town twinning association. Mayor Dr. Peter Lüttmann has taken on the patronage of this event.
Caritas of the diocese Leiria has published an urgent appeal this week: “Although the most visible phase of the storm has passed, its impact on people’s lives continues to be felt profoundly. Many families continue to face significant losses, economic uncertainty and emotional distress,” it reads. It continues: “The region must not be forgotten. Reconstruction will be long and challenging and will require continued solidarity”.
Leiria suffered not only the most severe damage from storm Kristina. It rained for days afterwards, followed by landslides and flooding. Several hundred families had to be evacuated from their homes and housed in communal accommodation. The town twinning association would like to actively help here in particular with its fundraising campaign – although this will certainly only be possible to a modest extent.
Leirias Mayor Goncalo Lopes yesterday thanked the tireless volunteers who are involved in the clean-up work. “We are tired, that’s true. But we know that every street will be cleaned, every roof repaired and the many donated supplies will be delivered to the families,” said Lopes. He thanked the civil defense, security forces, military, firefighters, scouts, technicians and volunteers, “The strength of our community is greater than all adversity.”
The motto issued by Lopes and the municipal administration is “Reerguer Leiria” – in other words: We are rebuilding Leiria! Everyone agrees that this work will take at least another year. After three weeks, not even the power supply had been restored to all households. Incidentally, there is now also displeasure among the population about this. And Mayor Lopes has called on the energy suppliers to stop leaving the affected households in the dark and to communicate openly and clearly about the status of the options.
The town twinning association is currently working on the program for the benefit concert. The Soalbate choir and the city’s music school Rheine with the Jekits children’s choirs from Bodelschwingh School and Südesch School have already confirmed their participation. Further discussions are still ongoing. Admission will be free, but at the end the organizers ask for a donation for the aid campaign “Rheine helps Leiria”.