Belgium to send assistance mission to Serbia

Belgium will send Wednesday an assistance mission to Serbia, upon the official request of the authorities in Belgrade, Belgian deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders announced Tuesday in a statement.

It is the second component of the Belgian First Aid and Support Team (B-FAST) assistance to the countries affected by the floods in South East Europe, after a mission left Monday to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Xinhua reported.

About 12 people from the Belgian defence and one person from the public health ministry will participate in the assistance mission to Serbia, said Reynders, also chairman of the Coordinating Council of B-FAST.

According to him, Belgian Defense will transport three boats with outboard motor and aluminum hull that can withstand underwater obstacles, including barbed wire.

The floods in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia have caused the death of 36 people and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands.

The UN has dispatched an assessment team and humanitarian assistance to Serbia after flooding caused by days of rainfall has reportedly submerged entire villages and triggered landslides across the Balkans.