In the Cultural and Pastoral Centre of the Serbian Orthodox Church help is being collected for all the people affected by floods in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Basketball players Rašo Nesterović and Goran Dragić joined the efforts.

Archpriest Peran Bošković said for MMC that they are in contact with government of both affected countries, and that they follow their instructions. "The government institutions tell us where to take the help, and whom to contact. We have the least problems with Serbia, as the access to Belgrade, where there are two central warehouses, is easy, while more coordination is required to reach Bosnia, as it is difficult to access the flooded areas." The first shipment from the centre is intended for Bosanski Šamac and Doboj, the second truck for Belgrade, and the third again for Doboj.

Some people had lost everything in the flood. They had to forsake their ruined homes, and they really appreciated our help. Every hug you receive from those you rescue tells you they are satisfied with what we are doing, that we are acting for their good, trying to help in this tragic situation. Policeman Robet Kralj, pilot-rescuer, member of the Slovenian rescue unit

Rašo Nesterović, the basketball player, was on the truck that left on Monday towards the flooded areas of West Bosnia. Later he told the journalists that although we had the floods in Slovenia, the conditions in Bosnia are worse, very bad indeed – people have lost their houses and have nothing left.

The Slovenians were the first to bring food
"Ours was the first truck to bring food," he said, and continued that there is no potable water, electricity comes and goes. And the worst thing is that the forecast is not promising – more flooding is expected. "They simply don't know if and when they will be able to go home," Nesterović said. He visited Bosanski Šamac and Bijeljina. "You can't reach the town. There is an assembly centre at the edge of the town, where help is left, and from there on it is distributed to people in need by smaller vehicles, as the roads are ruined."

Hospitals are evacuated
Nesterović travelled with the truck carrying food, hygienic supplies, and clothes. He said that there is already a shortage of diapers; the hospitals have already been evacuated. Nesterović has friends in Belgrade and Novi Sad; luckily his relatives in Doboj are all safe. "It will take a long time to get back to normal. There is fear of epidemics; they asked for as many rubber boots and gloves we can give."

"The Slovenian response was phenomenal. Nobody is thinking of nationalities, or religions – I would like to thank everybody, including companies as e.g. DM who sent packages, Dobra vila brought food for all the volunteers working in the centre – everybody is helping to the best of their abilities. My special thanks go to the drivers; the drive takes 8 to 9 hours. They all volunteered, and demand no payment. The drivers were touched when they saw how happy the people they brought help to were; they kept saying: 'The Slovenians are here, our rescuers,' told us Nesterović.

Peran Bošković also mentioned the exceptional response of the Slovenian people. Presently goods are collected for the fourth truck; they still have to decide where to send it. Several smaller trucks have already been sent, and a number of both famous and un

known people visited the centre. Zoran Predin announced a humanitarian concert.

"After two or three hours it was not any more about Serbia, or orthodox church. It became an all-Slovenian story of all the people living here. Everybody came, from people without religion to Orthodox, Cristian, and Moslem believers. People of all nationalities came, also Albanians brought help. We are very happy with such gesture, it is praiseworthy and precious," says Bošković.

Dragić asked his sponsors for help
Bošković says the humanitarian action will continue as long as people keep bringing help. They will collect it and forward to the needy. The centre is open all day until midnight. Goran Dragić, the basketball star, came to greet the tireless volunteers. He has addressed some companies, including Dana, asking them to send truckloads of water to the affected area, and try to help. "I have family in Bosnia, my uncle is in Serbia, they were not so badly affected… My ancestors came from there. We basketball players know each other, and if we feel like family on the basketball court, there is no reason not to help each other outside the court."

Saša Banjanac Lubej, MMC
Translated by G. K.

<-- Vsebina spodaj se je prenesla iz starega urejevalnika. Odstranite to vrstico in shranite/uredite novico. -->