By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A KEYSBOROUGH church’s parishioners have pitched in more than $230,000 to help victims of devastating floods in the Balkans.
Father Chedomir Videkanic, of Serbian Orthodox Church, said hundreds had pledged the extraordinary sum at an “emotional” meeting at the church last Sunday week in response to a continuing humanitarian disaster in Serbia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Croatia.
The special meeting was organised by a hasty call around of the church’s members; there was no time to send out letters, Mr Videkanic said.
“In our church, the people were emotional and responded immediately. We have the opportunity to see the events on TV – 24 hours a day.
“Most of us were crying. Some of us know people who are affected.”
It is estimated more than 150,000 people were evacuated after a record three-day burst of rain broke the banks of the Sava River last month.
Small towns were submerged in water, homes threatened by landslides and many people had lost “everything”, Mr Videkanic said of the unprecented event.
Reportedly at least 50 have died, with many still missing. About 1.6 million are directly affected – many without fresh water and electricity.
“It will take 5-10 years and millions of dollars to rebuild,” Mr Videkanic said.
“Those countries are small, with limited resources, and they need our help.”
He hoped the Australian Government would contribute to the international aid effort.
The Australian Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina Associations recently raised $28,000 at a fund-raiser in Springvale as part of an ongoing drive for donations.
Co-ordinator Sead Omerovic, of Noble Park, said half of Bosnia and Herzegovina had been submerged, cutting off roads, schools, and hospitals.
“It brings back bad memories of being displaced by the war (in the Balkans in the 1990s), and fighting for your life. The traumas are resurfacing.
“We are fortunate to live here. We survived here but we feel a human urge to help.
“On the positive side, it has brought the (once-warring) communities and people from different ethnic backgrounds together, helping each other.”
Last Monday, Greater Dandenong Council pledged $10,000 to the aid effort.
Mr Omerovic said he’d continue to lobby the Australian government – which has not committed specific resources or funds to the aid effort.
Last week, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said the government was monitoring the situation.
To donate, go to the Australian Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina Associations website aubha.net or directly donate to Metropolitan of Serbian Orthodox Church of Aus and NZ Flood Relief Appeal, BSB 032 257, account 423232.
