By Sarah Mac Donald - 14 February, 2014
The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) is preparing to respond to calls from flood victims over the coming months.
According to the Society, it will use the €500,000 Government Fund allocated to it through the Department of Social Protection to assist people in need with a range of supports directly resulting from the floods and bad weather.
In a statement, Geoff Meagher, SVP National President said, “We are currently dealing with calls for assistance and envisage that we will be dealing with some of the longer term financial needs arising from the floods after the immediate emergency has abated in 2-3 weeks.”
“We will be working with flood affected households for many months and we will continue to visit and support residents in affected communities as we have done for generations.”
The SVP support will primarily revolve around providing assistance in relation to energy, food, laundry costs, replacement of furniture and household items and help with less obvious interim living costs such as replacing clothing.
“We will respond as best we can to those who seek our assistance and would recommend that anyone who wishes to have a visit from our members should contact our local offices.”
“They will be assured of a confidential and sympathetic response from our members and staff.” said Mr Meagher.
Contact details are available on www.svp.ie.
SVP offices in the areas most affected are:
SVP Limerick 061 317327
SVP Kerry 064 6622668
SVP Cork 021 4270444
SVP South East 051 873128
SVP Galway Area 091 563233
All open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday
SVP West 093 26293