Serbian Flood Relief Campaign Goes Viral

At over 20 locations in Belgrade and at others all over Serbia, the Red Cross has been collecting food, clothes and other necessities for around 25,000 people evacuated from their homes after the severe flooding of recent days.

At the same time humanitarian aid is arriving from Russia, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and other countries.

After the town of Obrenovac, 30 kilometres southwest of Belgrade, became literally submerged, evacuees started filling up various institutions that have opened their doors to the newly homeless.

   World Joins Relief Mission

As the international relief effort kicks into action, Croatia and Macedonia have sent 90 tons of water while more than 220 rescuers from ten EU countries have been helping with the evacuation people from the worst affected areas of Serbia since Friday.

The EU has sent rescue boats, helicopters, high capacity pumps and other equipment. Meanwhile the EU mission in Kosovo, EULEX, has sent its rescue helicopter to evacuate people from flooded areas.

Aid packages have also come from the United Nations, Belarus and the Russian Federation, which has sent 76 rescuers to help vacuate people from Obrenovac. Humanitarian aid worth more than 400 000 euro has also arrived from Azerbaijan.

As these and other evacuations continue, campaigns have started to raise funds and provide necessities for people left without roofs over their heads, at least until the floodwaters recede.

The government of Serbia has appealed to both citizens and businesses to donate food, clothes, blankets and toiletries.

Red Cross workers as well as volunteers have acted fast to take care of the evacuees from Obrenovac and other affected areas. Across Belgrade...