EU Assistance to Balkan Floods, May 2014

More than the equivalent of 3 months rain during 14-18 May 2004 on the Balkans, the highest rainfall recorded since records started 120 years ago. Tamara, as the cyclone was called, caused severe flooding and land slides in Serbia, Bosnia, and to a lesser degree in Croatia, resulting in over 60 deaths, massive destruction of property, infrastructure, and damage to agriculture.

Seemingly unprepared, authorities in Serbia and Bosnia were unable to cope alone with large swaths of territory inundated during the cyclone. They quickly requested international help, including via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Within a few hours, the call was answered by Bulgaria, Germany, Slovenia and Austria. By 36 hours, 6 more EU countries responded.

Overall 23 EU members out of 28 aided relief efforts. 3 million Euros, 800 relief workers, and 2 EU Civil Protection Teams were dispatched. On 16 July 2014, France and Slovenia cohosted a donors conference.

Taken on 2014-05-19
Source European Commission - Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection
License Attribution - NoDerivs Creative Commons

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