Two years on from the South Moravia tornado: The KKFF's work in the area continues

Thanks to more than CZK 150 million, of which CZK 50 million went directly to families, the House of Nature is being built in the Bažantnice area, the park in front of the U Červených domků Primary School is being restored, the sports complex is being expanded, and the suburban forest park and children's town are being given a new look. In addition, the documentary film Tornado: One Year Later, which the Foundation supported last year, was shown for the first time in the USA this year. The cooperation between NGOs continues with evaluation research on the impact of disaster and relief.

Restoration of public space

The construction of the House of Nature of the Hodonínská Dúbrava Nature Reserve, which began in February last year, is at its most advanced stage. The new building, which is being built thanks to the reconstruction of the former kindergarten building that later housed the environmental education centre, is already standing. The construction, which is being carried out by OHLA ŽS in cooperation with PROST, will be completed this year, including the final approval. Work is now continuing on the interior, which will be particularly interesting with the exhibition area on the second floor. It was designed by the architectural studio Létající inženýři. The design reflects the protected and rare fauna and flora of the Hodonínská Dúbrava National Natural Monument.

"During the restoration of the Bažantnice area, the Foundation, in cooperation with the City of Hodonín, is making use of its long‑term experience in the creation of public space gained during work on various projects. Among other things, we organise meetings of architectural and landscape studies that create the future shape of an important part of the city. A unique place is being created in Bažantnice, where sports, relaxation and educational activities will intersect, taking into account its original character. We are also placing emphasis on greenery. Several rounds of tree planting have already been carried out," added Luboš Veselý, director of the KKFF Foundation.

"There is a lot going on in connection with the reconstruction of the city after the tornado. Recently, for example, we presented to the public a study of the restoration of the park in front of the U Červených domků primary school, which was prepared by architects from Arkytek and Atelier V 8 studios in cooperation with the Komárek family foundation. We have also managed to settle important property issues in order to fulfil the basic idea of creating a space in which the individual parts are connected into one functional whole," said Libor Střecha (PRO Hodonín), the mayor of Hodonín.

Film and tornado research

In addition to the public space projects, KKFF supported two other important activities in the aftermath of the tornado. The first is a film by Jana Počtová, made in cooperation with Czech Television. As the two‑year anniversary of the disaster approaches, the film premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., whose international program the Komárek Family Foundation has long supported. During the screening of the film and the reception that followed for about 100 guests, the Foundation had the opportunity to thank foreign donors in the presence of representatives of the Czech Embassy. The film can be viewed on Czech Television's on‑demand service.

The cooperation of several foundations, including KKFF, which was established immediately after the tornado to coordinate aid more effectively, continues. It also includes evaluation research, which is the responsibility of the humanitarian and development organisation ADRA. The research will help to assess the direct impact of the tornado on households (material damage, how the event is perceived by the people affected, what impact it had on their lives) and also how people from the communities (members of associations, mayors, councillors and representatives of the regional level, e.g. members of the Regional Crisis Staff, firefighters) evaluate the assistance provided. The results of the research will be used to make recommendations for effective crisis management.