WARSAW, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission (EC) on Thursday proposed granting 12.2 million euros (14.2 million U.S. dollars) for the damage caused by heavy storms in northwestern Poland last year, the Polish Press Agency reported.
In mid-August 2017, violent storms and heavy rainfall affected the Polish provinces of Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Pomorskie and Wielkopolskie, destroying tens of thousands of hectares of forestland and crops as well as transport and energy infrastructure. Hardest hit were districts of the cities Torun and Gdansk.
"The 12.2 million euros can be used to cover some of the expenses related to clean-up operations in forests, clearing fallen trees from roads and railways, and to help restore damaged infrastructure," the Commission said.
The funds will come from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF). EU member states can turn to the European Commission for support after a natural disaster.
Six people were killed and 62 were injured in the country as a result of the storms. As well, around 4,800 buildings were damaged, including 3,400 residences, and forests suffered enormous damage. According to the State Forests' estimates, losses amounted to 7.7 million cubic meters of felled trees and 38,000 hectares of destroyed forests.