Situation
Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have been affected by Cyclone Tamara, which has resulted in record flooding from heavy rains. Waters continue to rise. Dozens are confirmed dead, and many people are missing. Tens of thousands have been evacuated, and tens of thousands of households are without electricity or drinking water.
Also severely damaged: power systems; drainage, water supply and sewage treatment systems; roads; bridges, and railroads. Significant agricultural and forest areas are also under water.
CWS Response
The ACT Alliance is a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy. CWS is among members of the ACT Alliance that are likely to respond to the emergency once assessments are completed.
It is likely that the ACT response will focus on food assistance, distribution of food packages and delivery of hygiene and cleaning supplies.
How to Help
Financial contributions to support CWS emergency response efforts may be sent to your denomination/communion or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515. Donations to our emergency response efforts around the globe may also be made online.
For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is responding, call 800-297-1516.
CWS Development and Humanitarian Assistance Program/CWS New York office: 212-870-3151.