In early June, heavy rains in central Europe caused flooding in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and Switzerland. At least 20 people died and some 100,000 were evacuated across the region. Recent reports state that no Witnesses were either killed or severely injured in this disaster. However, at least 100 Witnesses in Germany and some ten families in the Czech Republic had to be evacuated from their homes. Displaced Witnesses found shelter in the homes of either their families or local Witnesses. One Kingdom Hall in Germany and another in Austria were destroyed. Witness elders in the region organized relief efforts, providing both material and spiritual support to victims.

Media Contact(s):

International: J. R. Brown, Office of Public Information, tel. +1 718 560 5000

Germany: Wolfram Slupina, tel. +49 6483 41 3110

Slovakia: Rastislav Eliaš, tel. +421 2 49107611