Belarus sends rescuers, helicopters to Serbia
MINSK. May 19 (Interfax) - The Belarusian Emergency Situations Ministry is sending rescuers and helicopters to Serbia on the orders of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
"Simultaneously, we are preparing to send humanitarian cargo," Vitaly Novitsky, press officer for the Belarusian Emergency Situations Ministry, told Interfax on Sunday.
"The Serbian authorities have asked for support by sending rescuers and equipment to help it deal with the aftermath of a natural calamity. Two Emergency Situations Ministry Mi-8 helicopters and four groups of rescuers left for Serbia this morning. Belarusian specialists have all necessary equipment to help people hurt by a flood," Novitsky said.
"Simultaneously with that, work is being done to form a humanitarian cargo. An Il-76 will leave for Serbia in the near future. It will carry electric power generators, motorized pumps, tents, blankets, and food. The government has ordered the ministry to ensure the formation of this cargo, accompany it, and hand it over to the Serbian authorities," he said.
The recent flood in Serbia, which was caused by heavy rains, has affected seven municipalities in six districts of southern Serbia. It has damaged roads and water supply chains and has disabled local industry. Specialists estimate that the water levels in the river Morava will by far exceed the dangerous levels in the coming week.
