World Bulletin/News Desk

Rescue teams, donations, helicopters and boats are being sent from Europe to help Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, where floods have so far claimed more than 36 lives and affected hundreds of thousands of people.

Turkey's Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), which is responsible for the coordination of Turkey’s aid deliveries to victims, has sent a 41-person rescue team with a C-130 cargo aircraft for search-and-rescue operations as well as much-needed supplies and equipment such as 100,000 sandbags, blankets and generators.

Turkey’s Cooperation and Coordination Agency and the Turkish Red Crescent have also sent personnel to aid the flood-hit countries.

At least 36 people have died since last Wednesday after heavy rainfall in Bosnia and Serbia causing the worst flooding in 120 years. More than 1 million people in Bosnia have no access to clean water, over 100,000 buildings have been destroyed, and rebuilding is expected to cost billions.

Rescue aid has also been delivered from countries like Bulgaria, Greece, Holland and Norway.

Greece has sent a eight-person rescue team to Serbia and Bosnia and has said it is ready to send another 25 people if needed.

“We need to help one another,” Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Daniela Bobeva stressed.

Bosnians living in Holland have gathered donations to accompany rescue teams like medical supplies, blankets, and food supplies for the flood victims.

Norway’s Foreign Minister Borge Brende stated that the Norwegian government will send $7.5 million in aid to both support emergency needs and to help the flooded region in rebuilding the infrastructure.

The worst and deadliest floods in the Balkans since rainfall measurements began 120 years ago came after several months of rain fell in only a few days.

The death toll, reported by Anadolu Agency teams in the region, has risen to 36, while tens of thousands of evacuees in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, call for international assistance.