UN plane delivers aid, French rescuers arrive

UN plane delivers aid, French rescuers arrive

BELGRADE -- The first part of a humanitarian aid shipment sent by the United Nations arrived in Belgrade late last night, the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) said.

It contained generators, water pumps, and rescue boats.

During the day on Monday, another shipment of aid, containing food and water for the flood-stricken population, will also arrive.

The UN have set up a coordinating team working with the Sector for Emergency Situations, it has been announced.

Also last night, a team of 40 specialized French rescuers arrived along with their equipment, two boats, and several water pumps.

Rescue teams from a total of 17 countries have joined their Serbian colleagues in the effort to deal with the worst flooding in a century that has so far claimed 17 lives and forced over 25,000 people to leave their homes.

The Russian Federation sent 76 rescuers and two planes of humanitarian relief, and will on Tuesday send another plane.

Aid from the government of Azerbaijan worth over EUR 400,000 - motorboats, plastic boats, diesel generators, drainage pumps and other equipment - arrived in Belgrade early on Monday by plane.

The French rescue team is seen in Belgrade (Tanjug)

Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Belarus, Macedonia, and Montenegro have also sent rescuers to Serbia.

Helicopters from Germany, Switzerland, Macedonia and the EU mission in Kosovo have been deployed to help in the flood-affected areas. A total of seven helicopters from Slovenia and Hungary are working in coordination with the MUP helicopter unit.

Belarus sent a new shipment of aid that was delivered to...