UN to assist reconstruction in Serbia

BELGRADE - The UN will assist reconstruction efforts in Serbia once the water recedes from the flood-hit areas and appeal for donor aid after the situation has been analysed, the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia Irena Vojackova-Solorano said on Tuesday.

We will definitely help, first by providing support to the new office coordinating relief aid, and then after the damage assessment has been made, Vojackova-Solorano told the RTS.

The UN currently has seven damage assessment experts in Serbia, who will assess the various needs resulting from industrial, environmental and health damage, she said.

Once the assessment is complete, the UN will make a plan with the Serbian government before any further steps are taken, Vojackova-Solorano said.

We will launch a global appeal for donor aid and back the Serbian government in all this, the UN official said.

In less than 24 hours, the UN sent two planes carrying relief aid for the flood-hit areas.

All that aid has been handed over to the government, as will any further aid - we have delivered it to the ministries of the interior and economy and, as more aid arrives, we will hand it over to other ministries, she said.

The situation is changing on a daily basis, and it is very difficult to make a solid assessment of what is needed at this moment, Vojackova-Solorano said.

We adjust as the situation develops, she said.

In addition to cooperating closely with the Serbian ministries, the UN is collaborating with the European Union to address the situation, Vojackova-Solorano said.

Photo Tanjug/D. Stankovic (archive)