Czech Republic – Floods (Hydrometeorological Institute, Czech Ministry of Interior, Czech Civil Protection Authorities, Local Media)

According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, the water levels of Vltava and Elbe are expected to further decrease throughout the country. In Ústí nad Labem (Ústecký, northern CZ), Elbe culminated at 10.72m on 7 June. As of the same date, it has also reached its peak in Děčín (also in Ústecký).

Summary: Due to exceptionally heavy rainfalls and the consequent extreme flooding of the major river systems, particularly in the Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, followed by Slovakia and Hungary, thousands of people have been evacuated from several parts of central Europe. Further rainfall, which has been forecast across parts of the region in the coming days, is likely to exacerbate the problems caused by flooding, especially in low-lying areas.

A new complaints mechanism will allow individuals and groups to seek justice from the UN if their rights – including adequate housing, food, water, sanitation, health, work, social security and education – are violated and their government fails to provide justice. But once in force it will only immediately apply to citizens of 10 nations,

Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme

Sixty-third session

Geneva, 1-5 October 2012

Update on UNHCR’s operations in Europe

A. Situational analysis including new developments

In the first half of 2012, more than 154,000 asylum applications were lodged in the 38 European countries for which UNHCR compiles statistics. Some 122,500 of the applications were made in European Union (EU) member States. Europe continued to receive large numbers of unaccompanied and separated children (UASC).

HUMENNÉ, April 19 (UNHCR) – A group of 44 Afghan refugees arrived on Thursday, April 19 at the Evacuation Transit Centre (ETC) in Humenné, eastern Slovakia, ahead of onward resettlement elsewhere.

BUDAPEST, February 10, 2012 (AFP) - Hungary closed the Danube to river traffic Friday due to thick ice, bringing shipping to a near standstill on Europe's busiest waterway, as the continent's cold snap death toll passed 540.

"Shipping was ordered stopped overnight Thursday to Friday because of conditions created by icing along the Hungarian part of the river," Istvan Lang, who heads the national technical supervisory body OMIT said.

"All ships still underway must immediately head for the closest harbour," Lang, quoted by MTI news agency, said.

3085th JUSTICE and HOME AFFAIRS Council meeting Brussels, 12 May 2011

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

1. Recognising the significant frequency and intensity over the last few years in the European Union of flood events causing loss of human lives and property and damage to social and economic infrastructure, which have resulted in several activations of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism; acknowledging that prevention plays a role in adaptation to climate change;

The Europe region is diverse in political and socio-economic terms, in its geography, demography and culture, as well as its public health trends and vulnerability to natural disasters. Membership services and programme support to National Societies therefore need to be adapted to the respective needs and the national context of individual national societies, and country-level plans describe the proposed activities in some 20 countries. The roll-out of Strategy 2020 and related approaches will be an important priority.

There are also areas of common concern

Want to use this map in a report or on your website? Please see the map permission page first.

See all location maps.