I will never forget the scenes of the floods across Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia: a deluge of rain of truly Biblical proportions which within a matter of hours wrought the greatest damage there since the region’s terrible wars of the 1990s. Now back from my visit to the region, my heart is full of sorrow for the people who have lost relatives, homes and livelihoods, but also admiration for the courage and kindness they have shown over the last week – and a strong determination to mobilise more help for the thousands of people who need it.

In response to severe floods which hit Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, the EU continues to provide help and assistance to deal with the consequences of this natural disaster. In addition to immediate humanitarian aid provided so far, the European Commission has allocated an extra €65 million to tackle the aftermath of the floods.

EU-provided civil protection teams have continued to help Serbian authorities dealing with the consequences of floods, primarily through drainage operations, pumping activities and water purification.

Participants of “Initiative Agenda” project, organised within the European Union’s “Youth in Action” programme, have made three short films about recent floods in Serbia and Bosnia, in a bid to get international attention and appeal for aid.

“I have visited the most affected town Obrenovac which shows the magnitude of the flood disaster – and the human suffering of the people affected. I express, on behalf of the European Commission and the whole European family, my deepest sympathy and solidarity. But solidarity is not just a word. That’s why the European Commission is working with all it’s relevant services on a coordinated approach to assist Serbia in these heavy times,” said EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn who visited Serbia on Saturday.

European Commissioner for regional development Johanes Hahn was expected in Belgrade on Saturday to talk with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić about damage caused by floods in Serbia. He will also visit Obrenovac and Šabac.

The role of non-governmental organisations (NGO) in emergency situations such is the one in floods-affected Serbia EU considers as crucial both in needs assessment and in the reconstruction aftermath, officials of both EU Delegation to Serbia and EU Civil Protection Team said.

The EU is providing immediate, massive and comprehensive support to flood-stricken Serbia through three phased response: rescue effort (still ongoing); humanitarian support (ongoing and expanding); and mid-to-long term reconstruction and prevention (needsa assessment getting under way).

Serbia can count on the European Union financial assistance, as well as the EU Solidarity Fund assistance, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport said at the international donor conference held in Belgrade.

Together with Serbian authorities, EU specialists are still making a major effort to protect power plants in Obrenovac and Kostolac that are yet under threat. The team and resources will be available in Serbia until further notice.