ADRA Continues Aid to Serbian Earthquake Survivors
SILVER SPRING, Md.- The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is continuing its response following an earthquake that shook the city of Kraljevo, Serbia. The violent quake significantly damaged hundreds of buildings and houses, displacing thousands of families and injuring more than 500 people.
Through this intervention, ADRA has helped more than 2,000 people through the distribution of emergency winter aid kits. These lifesaving kits contain pillows, blankets and quilts for the victims who were forced to evacuate their damaged homes. This assistance is particularly vital as the temperature is expected to go below freezing and many of the victims have lost all their belongings and are now living in tents. The emergency packs were prepared by volunteers in the capital of Belgrade and transported to the affected region of Kraljevo where they were disseminated to the most vulnerable population.
Following the 5.4 magnitude quake, water from broken pipes spilled into the maternity ward of one hospital, forcing hospital staff to evacuate babies to other facilities. Major highways have been damaged, disrupting the flow of aid and several villages have been left without electricity or running water.
The quake struck shortly after 1 a.m. local time on November 3, 2010 and was felt in the neighboring countries of Romania and Bulgaria. Since then, over 350 weaker aftershocks were reported, including a 4.3 earthquake on November 4.
