Graubünden grants Brienz 500,000 Swiss francs in emergency aid for impending landslide

The village of Brienz is once again facing evacuation due to the threat of another landslide. Residents will have to leave their homes by midday on Sunday and may not be able to return for several months.

In response to this threatening situation, the government of the canton of Graubünden has decided to provide emergency aid of CHF 500,000. This financial support is intended in particular to cover the uncovered relocation and rental costs of the affected residents. The distribution of the funds will be organized by the municipality of Albula in collaboration with the Donations Commission.

Back in May 2023, around 80 residents of Brienz had to leave their homes due to the dangerous movement of debris and rocks above the village. At the time, the authorities feared a massive rockfall or debris flow that could have destroyed the entire village.

These fears came true on the night of June 16, 2023, when huge masses of rock tumbled down the slope. The torrent of debris buried a road and meadows under metres of rubble and came to a halt just a few meters from the village.

At the request of the municipality, the canton of Graubünden has stepped up its support for the municipal management team and the municipal authorities of Albula to deal with the challenges of the evacuation and the impending natural hazard.