On Thursday, September 19, 2024, the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces (SG WP), Gen. Wiesław Kukuła, announced that on Monday, September 23, Operation Phoenix will begin, aimed at supporting the reconstruction of areas affected by the flood.
Photo: 16th Lower Silesian Territorial Defence Brigade in Wrocław
This is the largest operation of its kind in the history of the Polish Army, which will be carried out along five key lines of effort:
- Safety: The military will monitor water-saturated flood embankments that are at risk of breaking. Despite the receding water levels, the embankments must continue to be supervised.
- Health: The military will organize forward medical aid stations, ensure the readiness of helicopters for medical evacuation, and provide psychological support, including assistance in treating post-traumatic stress.
- Mobility: A key priority will be clearing and rebuilding roads and bridges to ensure essential aid reaches those affected by the flood.
- Logistics: The military will deliver resources such as drinking water, food, and electricity to towns cut off from supplies due to water contamination and power outages.
- Training: After providing assistance, the military will focus on enhancing the crisis management skills of local authorities.
Linie wysiłku operacji pk. "Feniks". Główne cele: łagodzenie skutków powodzi, wsparcie procesu odbudowy infrastruktury realizowanego przez administrację rządową i samorządową. pic.twitter.com/nbuPasuwG6
— Wiesław Kukuła (@wieslawkukula) September 19, 2024
As reported by the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, military helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are currently in use. Reconnaissance flights and surveys are being conducted over the flood-affected areas, along with ongoing reinforcement of flood embankments.
Containerized field kitchens are operational, providing hot meals in Lądek-Zdrój and Stronie Śląskie. The distribution of dry food rations is also continuing. The Armed Forces have deployed 48 water tankers, which are being distributed in Wrocław to designated areas.
Main military activities over the past 24 hours:
- Strengthening flood embankments and placing sandbags in the following locations: Wrocław, Wiszna Mała, Nowa Ruda, Krosno Odrzańskie, Małomice, Szprotawa, Oława, Mietków, Brudki, Bendów, Nowogród Bobrzański, Siedlisko, Sadowa, Czechowice-Dziedzice, Grodków, Brzeziny, Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Bielice, Kolonia Popielowska, Stradów, Łany, Legnica, Kamień Ząbkowicki, Lewin Brzeski, and Narok.
- Supporting evacuation efforts in the towns of Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Grodków, Lewin Brzeski, Sarny Małe, Nysa, Prudnik, Szprotawa, and Brzeg. The Armed Forces assisted the State Fire Service in evacuating 42 people (a total of 4,288 people have been evacuated with military support since the beginning of the operation).
- Conducting preventive patrols by the Military Police and the GRYF unit from the Territorial Defense Forces (WOT).
- Medical support: The 2nd Military Field Hospital has established a Level I field medical facility in Nysa, which is receiving patients. The facility is gradually expanding into a full hospital with the ability to relocate as needed. The 1st Military Field Hospital is on 12-hour standby to deploy a Level I field medical facility to the designated operation area. Mobile clinics have been activated.
- Engineering units are preparing to construct a temporary bridge in Głuchołazy.
- Additional road teams have been deployed to carry out post-flood damage removal, assist local authorities and services in clearing towns, and secure the sewage treatment plant in Brzeg.
- Task teams, formed from anti-chemical regiments, are handling disinfection in flood-affected areas.
As reported by the press service of the Polish Navy, yesterday, on September 18, sailors from the 3rd Ship Flotilla units were deployed to southwestern Poland to assist in preventing and mitigating the effects of the flood as part of Operation Phoenix.
Marynarze jednostek 3 Flotylli Okrętów wyjechali wczoraj na południowy-zachód Polski pomagać w zapobieganiu i usuwaniu skutków #Powódź2024 ⚓
Na ludzi morza zawsze można liczyć!#dOB #dZH #dOP #dOW #KPW @DGeneralneRSZ @DowOperSZ @SztabGenWP @MON_GOV_PL pic.twitter.com/QskARuDhvL— Marynarka Wojenna RP/ Polish Navy (@MarWojRP) September 19, 2024
According to the latest information from the Ministry of National Defense, four Military Task Groups, consisting of a total of 16,000 soldiers, are already operating in the disaster-affected region. This includes 500 military police officers supporting police operations, as well as eight engineering teams equipped with heavy machinery and 19 helicopters participating in the relief efforts. It was also mentioned that Operation Phoenix is in preparation, which will involve a multi-week military presence focused on reconstruction efforts following the flood.
Tysiące żołnierzy w operacji wsparcia samorządów i służb #MSWiA na rzecz mieszkańców terenów ogarniętych #powódź.
–
OSTATNIE DECYZJE/DZIAŁANIA
✅ zaangażowanych w operacji 16000 żołnierzy;
✅ polowa placówka medyczna w Nysie przyjmuje już pacjentów;
✅ 4288 osób ewakuowano do tej… pic.twitter.com/Mi6gMvePrh— Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej 🇵🇱 (@MON_GOV_PL) September 19, 2024
Ponad 16 tys. żołnierzy #WojskoPolskie 🇵🇱 wspiera powodzian‼️
Trwają przygotowania do operacji FENIKS – odbudowy zniszczeń po powodzi.
Działa polowa placówka medyczna poziomu I.
W Głuchołazach wojska inżynieryjne przygotowują budowę mostu tymczasowego.
Angażujemy się wszyscy… pic.twitter.com/e0SNASv6Ig
— Sztab Generalny WP (@SztabGenWP) September 19, 2024
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