Small businesses are particularly hard hit by the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley. The damage is devastating for the hospitality industry in the region that lives from tourism.
According to an estimate, the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley caused property damage of more than half a billion euros for the companies there.
A large proportion of the estimated damage amount of around 560 million euros is attributable to buildings, but machines, tools and destroyed goods are also taken into account in the estimate, announced the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) and the Chamber of Crafts (HwK) Koblenz on Monday. According to the information, around 800 IHK member companies and 800 HwK member companies are affected by the flood in the Ahr Valley. The majority (71 percent) of these companies are small businesses.
The hospitality industry and the hotel industry with around 11,000 beds in the district were particularly hard hit. “The region lives heavily from tourism,” said Arne Rössel, Managing Director of the Koblenz Chamber of Commerce. “First the closings due to the corona pandemic and now this natural disaster: This storm is devastating for the economy, and especially for traders, hoteliers and restaurateurs along the Ahr.”
The financial situation was tense, because many companies had no elementary insurance and reserves had already been used up, he said. The IHK is in close contact with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, because now fast and unbureaucratic support for the companies concerned is necessary. The emergency aid of 5000 euros is an important first step. But grants and funding programs must also be made available quickly. “Not to mention the restoration of the infrastructure, without which companies can only partially or not yet resume their activities,” he emphasized.
HwK General Manager Ralf Hellrich explained that the coordination of the aid measures that have started is now very important. “It is now very important to sensibly coordinate the overwhelming willingness to help of the craftspeople from all over Germany,” he said. Financial support and logistical capacities are urgently needed to provide the helpers on site with the necessary materials.
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
