Europe Floods: Serbia - Assistance to Flood Affected

Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: US$ 298,086  

From March to May 2006, Serbia suffered the most extensive and long lasting flooding and land erosions in 100 years. Heavy rain, ground waters and melting snow swelled the waters of the Danube and Sava rivers, which reached a record level in April 2006. Other rivers, such as Tamis and Tisa also burst their banks, causing floods in Central and Eastern Serbia, as well as in the province of Vojvodina. 200,000 hectares were flooded. Floods were followed by massive landslides and erosion throughout Central and Eastern Serbia, further contributing to the damage levels. Nationwide, the floods and landslides affected 11,000 families, across 34 districts.

The floods and landslides caused heavy damage to major infrastructure such as roads and irrigation systems and rural infrastructure. Underground water affected thousands of hectares of cultivable soil so farmers either could not seed their fields, or what was already seeded was ruined. Since farmers could not sow, it is expected that lack of income, food for private consumption as well as of fodder will occur in the months to come. Underground water has also caused damage to many houses. And there is low quality and shortage of potable water in many places, in particular in rural areas.

At present it is impossible to give an estimate of the damages since the emergency situation still remains. The level of river Danube is increasing again and it is expected to increase more with the melting snow. The dikes along Tisa and Danube have been strengthened, but it is hard to say whether they will hold. Some of the dikes are old and completely soaked with water, they may easily burst. When the water level goes down in the rivers, the underground water rises.

ACT members Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA) along with the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organisation (EHO), the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and Norwegian Church Aid with its implementing partner Philanthropy plan to assist the most vulnerable affected families with through the following: hygiene/cleaning kits, agricultural revitalisation, water & sanitation, repair and reconstruction of houses, psycho-social assistance and emergency preparedness training.

Project Completion Date:

HIA/EHO - 31 October 2006
IOCC - 30 November 2006
NCA/Philanthropy - 30 April 2007

Reporting Schedules

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested