NJ DISCOVER SPOTLIGHT: SOS: BOSNIA and SERBIA:  Recently hit with the worst flooding and natural catastrophe in centuries.  Call for AID.   May 20, 2014   By Calvin Schwartz

Someone asked me why NJ Discover, nestled comfortably in secure confines of central New Jersey and  heretofore over the past few years having journalistically covered events, people and places so close to Monmouth County, would suddenly devote energy and attention to the catastrophic floods and  tragedy unfolding in Bosnia and Serbia. Interestingly as a feature writer for NJ Discover, I’ve been pondering world stages, human species, interconnectivity and global issues for the past several months, looking far beyond the geographic boundaries of Monmouth County.

And what I’ve concluded, with lots of help from my media friends, is that more than ever before in human species history and especially for the next three decades, we earthlings need each other more than ever before. Every one of us is connected to each other and there are many survival issues we need to face together. “He ain’t heavy he’s my brother” really works for the next few decades.

So it’s easy, not hard, to focus now on our brothers and sisters in Bosnia and Serbia.  The rains and floods there have been hugely catastrophic. They need food, medicine and clothing desperately. I marvel at how Bosnia and Serbia are working together now after political unrest and war years ago. They also need international help and our help right here in New Jersey. Jerseyans weathered Hurricane Sandy; we understand and feel. If there are folks out there who want to mobilize efforts in addition to the Red Cross, we’re here to help. I’ve heard up to 70% of the people there are not getting aid and up to 70 to 80% of the land is under water.

Calvin Schwartz    5-20-14

Here are compilations of news updates:

“Bosnia and Serbia were recently hit with the worst flooding and natural catastrophe in centuries. Three months’ worth of rain fell on the region in three days last week, creating the worst floods since records began 120 years ago. Thousands of homes were destroyed and many lives were taken- authorities said on Saturday that 25 people have died, but say the toll could rise. Tens of thousands of home are left without drinking water and electricity.

From the air- almost a third of Bosnia, mostly its north-east corner, resembles a huge muddy lake, with houses, roads and rail lines submerged. Another risk of concern are landslides triggered by the floods- these raise the risk of injury and death from land mines left over from the Bosnian war in 1992-1995.

The damage is being estimated to be in the billions. One thing that has been extremely impressive is how helpful people have been with each other!” 

More News Updates:

“Red Cross teams working in close cooperation with the emergency management sector and local emergency headquarters have been helping evacuate the population affected by severe floods in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The region has suffered unprecedented rainfall in recent weeks.

More than 4,000 have been evacuated so far as a result of what government sources have called the biggest Serbian disaster in recent history.

In Serbia, 420 Red Cross staff and volunteers assissted with evacuations in Valjevo and Lazarevac. 820 blankets, 130 rubber boots and 4,430 meat cans have already been distributed in affected municipalities. The operation was hindered in some parts of the country due to broken bridges and inaccessible roads. The urgent distribution of ready-to-eat meals, drinking water, blankets, mattresses, cots, rubber boots, hygiene items will continue over the weekend.

This is the third response operation the Serbia Red Cross has been involved in this year and the resources are stretched to the maximum as a result.

Depleted stocks:

In Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities have declared a state of emergency as hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes in 14 municipalities, including Doboj, Maglaj, Brcko District, Olovo, Bijeljina, Lukavac, Kladanj, Srebrenica, Gradacac and Zvornik. The Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina delivered food parcels and drinking water on foot where the roads are blocked but also by jeep and boat. The society said it would continue to provide daily meals and drinking water for the affected population.

In the northern part of Bosnia, the society’s multi-purpose rescue teams, in cooperation with the BiH Departments of Public Security, set up temporary accommodation for the people who were evacuated. In Brcko District, the Red Cross teams performed medical evacuations and built sand bag flood defences.

The worst flood was reported in the capital Sarajevo and Tuzla regions, in the central parts of the country, as well as in the cities of Gorazde and Bijeljina. More flooding continues to threaten other parts of the country blocking the road access to some of the main cities.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies appeals for funds for both countries to replenishing stocks and for early recovery measures and materials through the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund, which will be used to replenish stocks and to cover early recovery measures and materials.

So far, the Serbia Red Cross has assessed the need for materials and additional equipment for water drainage, dehumidifiers assistance and replenishment of its depleted emergency stock of blankets, mattresses, cots, rubber boots and food items.”

How to Help Flood Victims in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia : (from the German Marshall Fund of the United States)

Of course check International Red Cross sources!!!

Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia have experienced floods of Biblical proportions since last week, the worst that the region has known since they began keeping records 120 years ago. In Bosnia, more than 1 million people  live in the affected areas. About 500,000 people have left their homes and at least 95,000 homes are without power. Over 1 million people have been cut off from clean water supplies. In Serbia, tens of thousands of people have lost everything. As many as 30,000 people have been evacuated to collective centers, and most 50 people have died. Landslides have moved land mines leftover from the wars in  the 20th century, estimated to be as many as 120,000. The floods hit Croatia on Monday; 15,000 people have been evacuated, and unfortunately there have been two confirmed deaths.

There is a great shortage of food, drinking water, clothes, hygienic products, and medicine for everyone, but the most immediate concern is for babies and their exhausted mothers.

There is danger of infection in the coming days as water supplies have been contaminated.

Support will be needed even more in the months ahead, since hospitals, schools, houses, and roads all need to be rebuilt.

We ask our international partners, colleagues, and friends to support the people in the Balkans with a donation of any size.

How to help in Serbia

Donate to the state institution solely for this purpose

Donate to the “General support” fund of the TRAG Foundation, the most respected foundation in Serbia.

How to help in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Donate to Red Cross of Republika Srpska

Donate Red Cross of the Federation of B&H

Donate to the MOZAIK Foundation, the most respected community foundation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

How to help in Croatia

Donate to Red Cross

Donate to Croatian Caritas

Links:

http://www.gmfus.org/archives/how-to-help-flood-victims-in-serbia-bosnia-and-herzegovina-and-croatia/

http://healthfitnessrevolution.com/sos-bosnia-serbia/