Dozens of people are feared dead in Bosnia-Hercegovina and Serbia after the worst floods in 120 years.
Tens of thousands fled their homes as heavy rain fell creating tsunami-like flooding and causing rivers to burst their banks. In the higher lands, the torrential downpour caused landslides that buried houses.
In the Bosnian town of Doboj, the mayor reported that more than 20 bodies had been taken to the mortuary.
The republic’s police chief, Gojko Vasic, said, “the flood waters acted like a tsunami, reaching three to four metres high. No-one could resist it.”
Observed from the air, almost a third of Bosnia, resembled a massive muddy lake, with houses, roads and rail lines submerged, the Associated Press reports.
According to a spokesman for Bosnia’s Security Ministry, about a million people – more than a quarter of the country’s population – live in the affected area.
Food for Life’s Response
Citizens of the country are now mobilized to help those affected with drinking water, food supplies, clothes and anything else needed. Food for Life Sarajevo plans to offer hot meals.
Food for Life Sarajevo is one of the oldest Food for Life projects, having started during the Bosnian conflict on the early 90s. Volunteers at that time were challenged to the limits and were only able to offer freshly baked bread and cookies in a city besieged by conflict, harsh winters and no available fruits and vegetables.
Emergency coordinator, Dhira Prasanta said that many people have literally lost everything. “They are being accommodated in schools, gyms and anywhere they can have a roof over their heads in the coming days,” he explained.
“Our volunteers are now preparing to cook, transport and serve prasadam (sanctified plant based meals) to the most affected people. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a poor country, so we are humbly asking for as much help as FFL supporters can offer,” he pleaded.
Food for Life Serbia also has a long history and volunteers are preparing to respond like their Bosnian neighbours.
How you can help
You can help us by making tax deductible donations through Food for Life Global or sending prepackaged prasadam to FFL Sarajevo offices. Donations will be shared between our FFL teams in Serbia and Bosnia.
Contact FFL Sarajevo
Address: Pofalicka 11, Sarajevo, Bosina & Herzegovina – 71000
Phone: +387 33 973088
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: ISKCON Sarajevo
Contact person: Dhira-prasanta das
Mobile: +387 61150115
Contact FFL Serbia
Contact: Madhva Muni
Email: [email protected]
