After Effects
Once the water levels returned to normal and residents returned to their home, they faced not only the damage left by the rising waters but also threats of disease due to decaying waste and food. The damage increased due to flooding of sewage treatment plants and the risk of damage to chemical plants.
Even once the waters began to recede, the work in the region was not yet complete. European leaders gathered in Berlin to discuss the effects of the floods and to create a better understanding of how to prevent such disaster in the future. This meeting garnered some criticism as Russia, which had suffered significant damage, was not invited to what was billed as a meeting of EU members and future members. The EU leaders did promise aid to the central European countries that suffered the most under the floods with monies coming from the EU's structural budget and this outreach to non-members was seen as symbolic in an effort to portray a truly united Europe.
Read more about this topic: 2002 European Floods
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