The Walloon Government has approved a new subsidy mechanism for provinces to speed up the implementation of flood protection works. This decision opens a new stage in post-crisis management.
After an initial phase of emergency interventions, securing and priority repairs, the phase of major sustainable reconstruction works is now beginning, both in the Vesdre valley and throughout Wallonia, to strengthen the resilience of areas exposed to flooding.
This scheme builds on the Vesdre Task Force, set up to improve coordination, streamline communication and speed up works in the worst-affected valley. This new action now makes it possible to extend this acceleration drive to the whole territory. The subsidy will directly support projects submitted by the provinces, identified by them as priorities, to strengthen bank stability and improve the resilience of provincial non-navigable waterways.
The amounts granted were determined on the basis of the files submitted by each province, to ensure a distribution proportionate to actual needs and the progress of the works. A total of €13,855,796 is being mobilised and allocated as follows:
- Walloon Brabant: €2,983,753
- Hainaut: €1,960,000
- Liège: €2,947,000
- Luxembourg: €2,965,043
- Namur: €3,000,000
“This financial support will enable the provinces to speed up essential works to reduce flood risks and improve residents' safety. It comes on top of the investments already made by Wallonia since 2021 to rebuild, protect and make territories more resilient to extreme weather events,” explains Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Anne-Catherine Dalcq.
In July 2021, all Walloon hydrographic sub-basins were hit hard, with human and material damage of exceptional scale, particularly in the Vesdre valley. More than four years later, expectations remain high to durably secure exposed areas and protect residents and economic activities.