Stories from Charities Providing Relief

Global Medic. Update May 2014

Over the past week, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia have been hit by severe flooding which is the result of the heaviest rains in more than 120 years. Over 70,000 people have been evacuated and more than 50 have lost their lives in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia. The death toll is expected to rise as waters recede. As many as 600,000 people may be affected.

Heavy rain which began on May 13 has caused flooding across Serbia, Croatia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, blocking roads, interrupting electricity and water supply. Thousands of homes are reachable only by boat. The UN has stated that the most pressing needs are: clean drinking water, food, tents, and medical supplies.

Areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina are now facing numerous landslides. The government says about a quarter of the country, or 1 million people, have been affected by the flooding and landslides.

GlobalMedic is sending members of its Rapid Response Team to assist families affected by the flooding. The team will transport emergency water purification units into the affected areas. This team will assess what further assistance is needed.

Red Cross continues to support those affected by Balkan Floods

Update: May 22, 2014

Unprecedented rainfall in Europe has left thousands in Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina evacuated from their homes or without power. To date, more than 80,000 people have been evacuated, and several cities and villages are also experiencing disruption of water supply and power cuts.

Thousands of Red Cross volunteers and staff are actively responding to meet the needs of those affected.  They continue to assist with ongoing evacuations and are providing those in need with items such as blankets, mattresses, drinking water, food and hygiene kits, rubber boots and water purifiers.

The Canadian Red Cross has deployed an aid worker to support emergency operations and remains on stand-by with both personnel and supplies, including our field hospital, ready to be deployed quickly if requested.

Source

 

Mennonite Central Committee

In Bosnia & Herzegovina, 950,000 people have been displaced which is greater than the number of people displaced during the 1991-96 civil war. There is a high risk of disease spreading and the governments have called for international assistance. Many of the people affected have also lived through earlier displacement during the civil war.

Currently MCC is working with two partners in Bosnia & Herzegovina – Merhamet & Bread of St. Anthony – as well as a partner in Serbia – Bread of Life Belgrade to determine the response to urgent humanitarian needs (e.g. food, water, non-food items) and psychosocial support. In addition, MCC is moving up the schedule for planned shipments of material resources (including relief, hygiene kits and blankets) to meet urgent needs.

Source

Share This Page

  Share your giving story!

Want to share your insights and be featured on the Giving Life Blog?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.