Floods

During the past few days a heartbreaking natural disaster has affected millions of families here in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The worst floods to hit the Balkans in living memory have devastated, over a night, several BiH cities and human lives that have been struggling to establish a normal life ever since the 1992-1995 war.
The disaster can now be measured in 45 lives lost (according to unofficial information the death toll will be even higher once the streets are cleared of water), 1.000.000 directly or indirectly affected persons, 950.000 displaced persons, 100.000 destroyed and ruined houses, 1.000.000 persons having no access to clean drinking water, 230 education and health institutions flooded, 2100 identified landslides.
Even though the flood waters have subsided, landslides are still destroying houses and roads leaving numerous villages isolated. The water and landslides have washed away signs indicating minefields and have dislodged mines to unspecified locations. Thousands of animal corpses and polluted water are now leading to outbreaks of disease.

While BiH citizens continue to cope with the consequences of the worst flood disaster, a new concern is now emerging. Rising temperatures, polluted water and the decaying bodies of tones of drowned livestock are imposing a serious and dangerous health hazard. A potential source of infection is waste as well: either waste materials left after the water has receded or those that people have thrown out of their flooded houses, which can no longer be of any use. The waste materials are attracting rats, dogs, snakes and flies that are now transmitting various health-threatening diseases. Health workers have already warned that there is a great possibility that acute stomach ailments and other diseases, including hepatitis and typhoid, might start spreading. Two villages have been identified as a source of disease and access to these places has now been restricted. Infectious disease outbreaks might soon start occurring over a wide geographic area and affect an exceptionally high proportion of the population, and might thus cause the worldwide catastrophe.

The Institute has placed helping the flood affected population and volunteer actions at the top of its priority list. We have mobilized our human and technical resources to help those troubled with the severe floods. Our volunteers are regularly visiting the flooded places and are helping the people to rebuild their lives in a way that can bring the most comfort during these very difficult and sad times.

We are already aware of numerous charitable campaigns and activities throughout the world, which are very welcome. However, our efforts will be directed towards specific endeavors which are clearly described in the attached document entitled Instructions for making a donation.

One of our donors is the European Union and they can testify about our commitment and our professionalism:

Vladimir PANDUREVIC, Programme Manager, EU Delegation to BiH; E-mail: vladimir.pandurevic@eeas.europa.eu

Your generous contribution will be greatly appreciated.

 

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