Save the Children provides help to the rescue teams

Save the Children delivered electricity generators, pumps, boots, raincoats and sand bags to the rescue teams in Bijeljina, in cooperation with the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Civilian Defense of Republika Srpska (B-H)

One of three boats provided to the rescue teams in Bosnia and Herzegovina for emergency evacuations.

This is the forth day since the heavy rainfall has started causing massive flooding in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Just as the situation has been getting a bit better in some areas, the terrifying news of new affected areas comes. Bijeljina, a city in North-East of BiH with population of more than 100,000, since last night has been on top of all the news because of the fear of the breakup of the enbankement of the Sava river. This morning, Save the Children initial response to support the rescue teams in their lifesaving mission has departed for Bijeljina. We are checking the news all the time hoping that the efforts of the civilian defence and civilians will stop the breakup of the enbankment. Sadly, this evening, the news come that the embankement did not last and that 10,000 people will have to be evacuated.

Since yesterday, Obrenovac in Serbia has been the most affected. There are news coming that the all town of 25.500 will have to be evacuated. Our team member from Serbia is feeding in information, while the other team member, who has the relevatives in Obrenovac, receives the news the houses of her relatives have been flooded. The water had come in in the middle of the night  and they had to flee for their lives. We are all shocked and sad, but running around to make sure that the planned purchase of the rescue materials is going as planned. The news report that the death toll of the flooding in both countries in in increase. The rescue efforts are the top priority, but the needs of the evacuated children and families will be immense – helping their survival but also supporting the recovery.

Through the social media, we are contacted by many of our friends and relatives worldwide who inquire what is the situation like and how they can help. A group of young people from the area of former Yugoslavia has been organised doing fundraising for recovery of floods in Bosnia and Serbia. As they have been greatful to us for feeding the info on the news and putting them in contact with our colleagues in Save the Children US, we are also greatful to them for the solidarity that they have shown.

Also, in general, despite the feelings of fear and dispare at some moment, it has been great to see the mobilisation of support to people in need in different cities and towns of Bosnia and Herzgovina. In tough times, we can only make it if we stick together.

Following the inital delivery of rescue supplies and organisation of support to evacuated children and families in Tuzla, Banja Luka and Belgrade through provision of food, water and blankets, two of our teams are out tomorrow to Tuzla and Bijeljina. Good luck to all!