The United Kingdom has dispatched specialized engineering personnel to assist Polish authorities in the wake of what has been characterized as a once-in-a-generation flood event.
Over ten members of the British Army’s 517 Specialist Team Royal Engineers (STRE), which is part of 63 Work Group, have arrived in the most severely affected areas to offer their support to Polish emergency services and military forces.
As experts in their field, these personnel are working with regional forces to address and resolve the most pressing challenges on the ground. They are instrumental in delivering engineering knowledge and offering guidance to confront the specific difficulties presented by the floods, which include assisting in the reconstruction of bridges and the repair of damaged roads in the area.
British troops are also providing planning assistance, working in conjunction with Polish teams to coordinate relief operations and ensuring the safe and effective allocation of resources on-site.
British armed forces possess extensive experience in responding to natural disasters worldwide. The floods have impacted multiple regions, straining local infrastructure and resources. Since the onset of the flooding, over 4,000 individuals have been evacuated from their residences in Poland, with many still lacking electricity.
Defence Minister, Lord Coaker said: “We stand shoulder to shoulder with Poland as they confront the devastating impact of these floods.”
“This mission underscores the UK’s dedication to collective defence and humanitarian cooperation, key pillars of its NATO commitments. In times of crisis, the strength of alliances is essential, and the UK is proud to stand with Poland during this difficult time.”
The UK currently has more than a hundred military personnel based in Poland, with 150 permanently stationed as part of NATO’s Enhanced forward Presence mission, around 50 supporting the Sky Sabre air defence systems deployment stationed in Poland following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with personnel playing their part in defending Polish airspace, alongside other British forces working on NATO efforts to support Ukraine.
