Historic Flooding In Serbia - Emergency Help Needed

In the last few days Serbia has been affected by the biggest flood in its history. Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic says the average rainfall of a three-month period hit the city in just 36 hours. At least 30,000 people have been evacuated and more than 300,000 homes are without electricity. 400 schools are closed. The number of dead is still unknown. Serbian authorities have so far delayed releasing an estimate of the total number of people killed in these tragic events, in order to avoid unnecessary panic. The Prime Minister is "afraid of everything that we will find when the water withdraws," which unfortunately suggests a large number of casualties. Material damage is also huge, but is difficult to estimate now. The economy, especially agriculture, will require a long time to recover from the recent flood destruction. Hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland, including entire animal farms, were destroyed. Animal corpses are floating in the water.

As of mid-week, about 30,000 people had been evacuated from the areas affected by flooding. Almost every few hours, Serbian media announced some new point from which people needed to be evacuated. Helicopter footage in the media showed apocalyptic images. Urban areas had been completely flooded, and all you could see was an endless mass of water. Serbian people have shown great solidarity: nearly 5000 Serbians responded to the Prime Minister’s appeal for help evacuating people from flooded areas. As of mid-week, the highest water levels were yet to come, meaning the worst was not yet over.

"People were in a panic, running," an evacuee told CNN affiliate N1 in Belgrade, Serbia. "I left with a kid. I was really happy that we didn't drown."

Some residents were stranded on the roofs of their homes, trapped by rising waters, begging for help. Boats sailed through the flooded streets on a humanitarian mission to rescue them.

Tens of thousands of people are trapped in their homes in cities that do not have electricity and water. Boats are the only means of transportation. Serbian rescue teams, along with special forces from Russia, the countries of the region, and the European Union (EU), try to evacuate as many people as they can. Many people are still trapped, and virtually cut off from the outside world. Their only hope is a lifeboat or helicopter, but these vehicles are scarce.

• 300,000 homes without electrical supply and drinkable water
• 30,000 people have been evacuated
• 400 schools are closed
• 5000 volunteers
• 2 billion USD expected amount of damage

The Serbian government has appealed for help from the European Union, Russia and neighboring countries. Many countries sent specialist teams of rescuers with boats and diving equipment to help with the effort. They are also flying in food that will be quickly distributed to the worst-hit areas.

A French special rescue team came to Serbia to assist in flood relief.

Great help came from the European Union, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

Also, Ambassador of Greece to Belgrade Konstantinos Ikonomidis announced a special rescue team from Greece.

An airplane with humanitarian aid from the United Nations landed at Belgrade airport.

Help was arriving hourly from neighboring countries: Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Italy, Belarus and many others.

Only 13 years ago, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia were in a horrific war that left devastating consequences. Today, all three republics are united in the battle against flooding and are helping each other. Croatia was among the first to help Serbia. Serbia, although hard hit by natural disasters, has sent aid to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This difficult situation has shown how people in these regions are human.

Dear Friends,

My city of Belgrade is not directly affected by the flood, but there is a real danger. I am very sad, and this situation has very much affected me. I try in every possible way to help Serbia. So I beg all Hubbers and people of good will, if they are able, to help Serbia to rise from the ashes. Please also share the link of the official PayPal account of the Serbian Government. Thank you all. God bless you.

HELP SERBIA!!!