The Czech Republic is coming forward to help Slovakia recover from massive damage caused by Friday's hurricane-force winds in the High Tatra Mountains, reports the news wire TASR.
The Czech Red Cross is collecting donations at its branch in Brno, while Pardubice, sister city of the town Vysoké Tatry in the High Tatras, plans to send lumberjacks and money.
Czech Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda has also pledged heavy machinery and unspecified funds from the Czech government.
Fierce winds destroyed around half of the pine forests that blanket Slovakia's famous mountain range.
Two people were killed as power lines fell and roads were blocked with fallen trees.
Premier Mikuláš Dzurinda appealed to regular Czech visitors to the High Tatras to spend their next holiday there.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
TheSlovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the informationpresented in its Flash News postings.
