The Balkans: Worst floods in Century continue to cause havoc
Although the water has receded in some areas, the worst floods in more than a century continue to create havoc in large parts of both Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
While thousands are still waiting to be rescued from their homes, tens of thousands have been evacuated and are staying with families, in sports centers or in schools. In Serbia an estimated 300,000 are without safe water or electricity. In Bosnia and Herzegovina the figure is 50,000. Many are living in unsafe and insanitary conditions created by the floods.
Almost one third of Bosnia is affected by floods with houses, roads and railway lines being submerged in the north eastern part of the country. A state of emergency has been declared in 14 municipalities, while cities like Maglaj and Doboj were almost completely submerged, with hundreds of people being rescued from rooftops on Saturday.
A vast number of landslides have worsened the situation and relief efforts, and there are reports that landmines buried during the conflict and not yet removed are in some instances being shifted with the landslides adding the dangers of residents and rescuers.
River still rising
In Serbia, the worst affected area is around the town of Obrenovac, south west of Belgrade, where around 10,000 people are still stranded. Obrenovac is also home to the biggest power plant in Serbia, which is at risk of being flooded, potentially causing disruption of power supply to large parts of the country. Hundreds of officials and volunteers are trying to build banks along the river Sava running through Obrenovac.
While water levels in some rivers are receding, the river Sava and two other rivers are still rising, forecast to reach their peak during Sunday night or later, so the danger is far from over.
Rescue and relief
The Red Cross societies of both countries have been actively engaged in rescue and operation activities, providing relief and helping setting up centers for those evacuated.
The Red Cross of Serbia has a clear and defined role in the national emergency response, and specially trained teams – as well as thousands of staff and volunteers – are assisting with continued evacuations as well as providing relief items.
The Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina have mobilized multipurpose teams in the affected areas, and staff and volunteers are assisting authorities with evacuations as well as providing blankets, mattresses, drinking water, food and hygiene kits, rubber boots and water purifiers to more than 10,000 people. These figures are expected to rise.
Relief efforts are naturally being hampered by the damaged infrastructure and difficult conditions but both jeeps and boats are being used, while often the volunteers wade through the water to deliver relief items. Many volunteers and their families in both countries are themselves affected by the floods.
In Brcko, one of the worst affected areas, Red Cross volunteers are helping to move sandbags along the River Sava to prevent it from flooding dozens of villages which are still in danger. Thousand of hectares of crops and farmland have been destroyed, meaning many have losthomes and livelihoods.
Sympathy and support
Sympathy for the affected people and support to the relief efforts of the two National Societies have streamed in nationally and from across Europe and beyond.
Although the water has receded in some areas, the worst floods in more than a century continue to create havoc in large parts of both Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
While thousands are still waiting to be rescued from their homes, tens of thousands have been evacuated and are staying with families, in sports centers or in schools. In Serbia an estimated 300,000 are without safe water or electricity. In Bosnia and Herzegovina the figure is 50,000. Many are living in unsafe and insanitary conditions created by the floods.
Almost one third of Bosnia is affected by floods with houses, roads and railway lines being submerged in the north eastern part of the country. A state of emergency has been declared in 14 municipalities, while cities like Maglaj and Doboj were almost completely submerged, with hundreds of people being rescued from rooftops on Saturday.
A vast number of landslides have worsened the situation and relief efforts, and there are reports that landmines buried during the conflict and not yet removed are in some instances being shifted with the landslides adding the dangers of residents and rescuers.
River still rising
In Serbia, the worst affected area is around the town of Obrenovac, south west of Belgrade, where around 10,000 people are still stranded. Obrenovac is also home to the biggest power plant in Serbia, which is at risk of being flooded, potentially causing disruption of power supply to large parts of the country. Hundreds of officials and volunteers are trying to build banks along the river Sava running through Obrenovac.
While water levels in some rivers are receding, the river Sava and two other rivers are still rising, forecast to reach their peak during Sunday night or later, so the danger is far from over.
Rescue and relief
The Red Cross societies of both countries have been actively engaged in rescue and operation activities, providing relief and helping setting up centers for those evacuated.
The Red Cross of Serbia has a clear and defined role in the national emergency response, and specially trained teams – as well as thousands of staff and volunteers – are assisting with continued evacuations as well as providing relief items.
The Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina have mobilized multipurpose teams in the affected areas, and staff and volunteers are assisting authorities with evacuations as well as providing blankets, mattresses, drinking water, food and hygiene kits, rubber boots and water purifiers to more than 10,000 people. These figures are expected to rise.
Relief efforts are naturally being hampered by the damaged infrastructure and difficult conditions but both jeeps and boats are being used, while often the volunteers wade through the water to deliver relief items. Many volunteers and their families in both countries are themselves affected by the floods.
In Brcko, one of the worst affected areas, Red Cross volunteers are helping to move sandbags along the River Sava to prevent it from flooding dozens of villages which are still in danger. Thousand of hectares of crops and farmland have been destroyed, meaning many have losthomes and livelihoods.
Sympathy and support
Sympathy for the affected people and support to the relief efforts of the two National Societies have streamed in nationally and from across Europe and beyond.
It
is the worst flooding in 150 years. The Finnish Red Cross is channeling
donations to its Disaster Relief Fund through the International Red
Cross and national Red Cross Societies in the region to help the flood
victims both in Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina . Funds are used
for emergency aid and supplies for people who have lost their home.
The Finnish Red Cross has received numerous questions about how best to help the afflicted people in both in Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. At the moment, the most efficient way to get help to those in need is via the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The collected funds are used for emergency relief and acquisition of materials for people who have lost their homes.
The Finnish Red Cross has received numerous questions about how best to help the afflicted people in both in Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. At the moment, the most efficient way to get help to those in need is via the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The collected funds are used for emergency relief and acquisition of materials for people who have lost their homes.
Information for Finnish Citizens
How to help the flood victims both in Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina?
By text message
Send the text message SPR to the number 16499 (€15)
Through your online bank
Donate online to the Disaster Relief Fund (you'll need your online banking access codes)
By telephone
Call 0600-122 20 (€20.28 + local network charge)
Call 0600-122 10 (€10.01 + local network charge)
By wire transfer
Donate to the Disaster Relief Fund account FI06 2219 1800 0680 00, NDEAFIHH, please write ‘Balkan floods’in the message area
Set up your own virtual collection box
Set up the virtual collection box and raise funds for the Finnish Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Give your friends, acquaintances and even strangers the opportunity to make a donation.
Via Mobile application (in finnish only)
The mobile application allows in-app donations to the Finnish Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. You can easily make a single donation of €15 on your phone or become a monthly donor by giving €10. The donation will be charged through your telephone bill.
The application is free and you can download it through your smartphone’s app store. Links to the stores: Android, iTunes, Windows
Send the text message SPR to the number 16499 (€15)
Through your online bank
Donate online to the Disaster Relief Fund (you'll need your online banking access codes)
By telephone
Call 0600-122 20 (€20.28 + local network charge)
Call 0600-122 10 (€10.01 + local network charge)
By wire transfer
Donate to the Disaster Relief Fund account FI06 2219 1800 0680 00, NDEAFIHH, please write ‘Balkan floods’in the message area
Set up your own virtual collection box
Set up the virtual collection box and raise funds for the Finnish Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Give your friends, acquaintances and even strangers the opportunity to make a donation.
Via Mobile application (in finnish only)
The mobile application allows in-app donations to the Finnish Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. You can easily make a single donation of €15 on your phone or become a monthly donor by giving €10. The donation will be charged through your telephone bill.
The application is free and you can download it through your smartphone’s app store. Links to the stores: Android, iTunes, Windows
Red cross Finland
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