In response to floods that hit Serbia in late June this year, the European Union is providing €65,000 in humanitarian funding to assist those most affected. This EU funding supports the Red Cross of Serbia in delivering much-needed relief assistance, including safe drinking water, food, hygiene and household items, together with essential psychosocial support.

The hardest hit households will also receive cash assistance to help them buy what they urgently need most following the disaster. Promotional activities will inform the affected population about health threats related to the floods, including waterborne diseases. The humanitarian aid will directly benefit over 20,000 people in 20 municipalities affected by the flooding.

The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Continuous heavy rainfall in late June 2020 caused floods that affected over 50,000 people in Serbia. Overflowing rivers caused significant damage to bridges, roads and power lines, and homes, adding to the acute challenges the country is already facing amidst the coronavirus pandemic.