Floods in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Montenegro’s army, police forces send aid, officers

Podgorica, Montenegro (18 May 2014) – Pursuant to the decision of the National Defence and Security Council, Montenegro’s army and police forces sent aid to the flood hit areas in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A military contingent has been deployed to Obrenovac, Serbia, a town just north of Belgrade that has suffered the heaviest damages, to undertake rescue operations and property protection. Their further deployment will depend on the weather conditions and the needs of Serbia’s Crisis HQ.

Ministry of the Interior coordinated activities with their Serbian and Bosnian counterparts and has organised the sending of humanitarian aid to alleviate the material damages suffered by the population in the flood hit areas. The aid package to Serbia includes 3.300 blankets, 1.700 raincoats, 1.000 sleeping bags, 200 pairs of rubber boots, 3 dirt pumps, 1 water pump, 320 sand bags, 9.500 litres of bottled water, 7.700 pieces of canned food, 40 bags of clothes, 2 pallets of flour bags, 2 pallets of washing detergent bags, 1 pallet of diapers. The aid package to Bosnia and Herzegovina includes 1.000 rain coats, 200 pairs of rubber boots, 200 water canisters, 1.600 blankets, 1 pallet of children food, hygiene, and clothes, 3 pallets of clothes, 8.200 pieces of canned food, and over 5.000 litres of bottled water.

Montenegro’s Interior Ministry is in constant communication with Bosnian and Serbia authorities with the view to aligning its activities with their plans for rescuing people and property. Divers and alpinists from the Special Anti-terrorist Unit of Montenegro’s Police Authority have been deployed to Serbia yesterday pursuant to the agreement between the two countries’ interior ministers, where they are intended to take activities in the area of Obrenovac.

Both Serbia and Bosnia noted that rescue teams are not currently needed, as the sufficient number of rescuers is already in the field, and Montenegro’s forces are ready for deployment if the need arises.

The preparation and collection of aid was made by the Emergency Directorate of the Interior Ministry, the Army of Montenegro, the Red Cross, and the Budva Municipality, whereas a great number of companies, local governments, and individuals have found various ways to send help to Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. There have also been a number of online campaigns raising awareness of the need to help our neighbours.

The people and authorities from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina expressed gratitude for the compassion of Montenegrin citizens and their willingness to offer help.