#Flood2024 #Wrocław #AnarchistFederation #DisasterAid #MutualAid

wolnywroclaw.pl
Notes from the Flood of 2024 | Anarchist Federation Wrocław

On Sunday, when the threat of flooding hung over Wrocław, an initiative called “Anarchist Crisis Staff” was formed on the initiative of people associated with the Hulajpole squat.

It was joined by people associated with various Wrocław collectives, including us, and a number of unaffiliated people. Eventually, more than 100 people ended up there. No one there looked at any animosities. The most important thing was to act quickly and collectively, as that's the only way to face a crisis. During the preparations for the flood, when nothing was yet certain, support was shown to us by people from the rest of Poland. Willing to come (which some did) or support us materially. However, it soon became apparent that Wrocław would more or less cope with the elements on our own, so more and more voices were raised to direct all help to the southwest. There the situation was and still is, and probably will be for a long time, much more dire.

We kept sending each other all the information we needed. Ways to lay sandbags, useful information in case of flooding, latest and proven forecasts for how the situation would develop, our needs, and where volunteer people were needed in a given situation to build and repair defenses. As the Anarchist Federation of Wrocław, we are glad that we were provided the opportunity to join and work together with you.

Initially, when we didn't know what was ahead of us, the most important thing was to secure friendly places. Those of anarchists and those of sympathizers. It was quickly possible to organize transportation, sandbags, or people willing to work. As a precaution, the Free Library's books, Zament's equipment or the materials of the Wrocław anarchist archive were also evacuated.

As soon as it could be done, every one of us who could, got involved in defending the city. Loading sand into bags, carrying them to transport, unloading them, stacking them on the ramparts, bringing people in, cooking food, giving out food—all this was done by the citizens and residents of Wrocław whenever possible. Coming back from work, from school, or spending a spare time this way.

You could almost always count on a solidarity atmosphere on the spot. Joining the human string loading bags onto a trailer, or people packing tons of sand into bags. These people seen for the first time in their lives were treated like old acquaintances. At the time, insights were exchanged or jokes were made about the difficult work we had to do together.

Now, in the city, all that was left was to clean up the barricades and return to everyday life. However, this does not mean the end. In the aforementioned southwestern part of Lower Silesia, residents still have a long time to rebuild. Lost loved ones, damage to mental health, flooded homes, destroyed possessions, damaged infrastructure—these are the consequences of the disaster we witnessed. If you have the ability and willingness to help, it will certainly come in handy right there.

Greetings! Solidarity is our weapon!