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Press Releases & Updates

22 MAY 2014

Floods in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Floods in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (updated on 22 May)

Latest Situation

Continuous rainfall starting on 13 May 2014 caused severe flooding in Serbia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Northern, eastern and central parts of the countries are seriously affected.  It is called the biggest Serbian disaster in recent history.

  • More than 35 people died
  • Around  40.000 people were evacuated, and about 10,000 people have been registered in shelters in the most affected areas
  • It is estimated that  around 1 million people have been affected
  • In Serbia, an estimated 300,000 people are without safe water or electricity, 24,000 people have been evacuated, and around 10,000 people are still stranded in Obrenovaz
  • The serious floods, combined with mudslides and major landslides, have caused severe damage to property and infrastructures. More than 20 bridges and roads were destroyed. In some cases, entire small villages were destroyed.
  • It is estimated that more than 3000 residential buildings are destroyed or under threat, but the actual situation can only be determined until the level of the water allows a clear assessment
  • This causes poor access to remote areas preventing humanitarian access
  • Landmines and mine awareness signs have either moved or been washed away because of landslides and flooding; there is a high risk that current mine maps will be inaccurate

Oxfam’s Response

Oxfam has completed the needs assessment in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our projects will focus mostly in the areas of Vukosavlje, Odžak, Domaljevac and Bosanski Šamac. We are now working closely with civil defence and other international organizations to provide first aid distribution, offering food and blankets and setting up shelters.

Our works are targeted to meet the following main objectives:

  • Provide adequate quantities of necessities (food for children, hygienic kits, water purification tablets, tanks for water, portable toilettes, disinfection material etc) for 6,000 people in temporary accommodations
  • Prevent outbreak of infectious diseases by cleaning more than 100 homes which were polluted by the flood in coordination with local emergency teams
  • Provide drinkable water to at least 12,000 people in the most affected communities and shelters. Conduct disinfection of the water and routine water quality analysis and checking residual chlorine
  • Ensure targeted communities are aware of public health risks by assisting 40,000 people with health promotion activities, distribution of leaflets and sharing messages with local radio stations