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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Sava greatest threat over next two days

Belgrade, 18 May 2014

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said that the situation in the flooded areas of our country is somewhat better today, but that extreme caution is needed over the next two days because the River Sava is now the greatest danger.

Vucic said at the meeting of the Staff for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Serbia that the end of the emergency situation is not even close, but that today there is more hope than yesterday. He said that another flood wave will pass by 21 May, which is why this calm period should be used to get prepared for the protection even better.

The Prime Minister confirmed that two casualties have been found in the rescue operation in Obrenovac so far, and that in the part of the town where the water has receded dead animals were found today, but there was no additional human casualties.

In Obrenovac, the situation was the toughest in the Belo Polje neighbourhood, which is still under water, so the final tragic balance will be determined later.

Vucic voiced hope that owing to the exquisite response of state organs and the entire nation in a catastrophe that happens once in a thousand years, both material damage and victims will be less than what it looked like on the first day when the emergency situation was declared.

He expressed special gratitude to citizens who have been helping in the defence of Sabac and Sremska Mitrovica the previous days, and pointed out that European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva told him in a telephone conversation that the EU is amazed with the mobilisation of citizens in Serbia.

The Prime Minister also thanked people from all over the world who helped, in particular to the Russian Federation, European Commission, the USA, Austria, countries of the region, Israel, Turkey, Belarus and all others who sent aid and rescue teams to Serbia.

According to him, it proved that the policy of friendship and cooperation with the countries in the region means a lot to Serbia and that our country managed to prevent greater damage with urgent measures.

Vucic warned that the destination of the donated money from the country and abroad must be known with precision since any type of misuse must be prevented.

He said that many individuals and governments have sent aid to Serbia, including considerable aid from Sheikh of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Assistant Minister of the Interior and Head of the Department for Emergency Situations Predrag Maric stated that five people lost their lives in the floods, one of whom was a member of rescue teams.

Maric said that one person in Vavarin is reported as missing, and added that a total of 24,352 people have been evacuated, 2,260 facilities inundated and 1,763 facilities endangered.

Minister of Mining and Energy Aleksandar Antic announced the possibility to launch production in thermal power plants TENT and Kolubara later in the day.