Despite all the hardships, sufferings, tragedy and victims we have suffered, Serbia is not alone. Neighbouring countries: Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia were the first who offered and provided assistance in dealing with this natural disaster. When such things happen, our religion, nation and the language we speak become less important. There is no more division among us. We are all one, hoping that this unity and solidarity will last longer, not just now but in the following years as well.

Here are a few examples of fraternal solidarity and assistance that should be mentioned. Big thanks to all the countries in the region for helping us and supporting us. A contingent of the Army of Montenegro has headed this morning to Serbia from its base in Danilovgrad. They were followed by buses full of volunteers, organised by the Brotherhood of Orthodox Youth of Montenegro. Atlas company has sent 100,000 gallons of water, while the President of the Group personally donated EUR 50,000. Water plant Lipovo from Kolasin has organised an additional production in order to send urgent assistance to Serbia. Some municipalities also merged and sent financial aid, manpower, technology, food and blankets. Montenegro has opened a bank account for individual payments intended for those most affected by floods that have hit Serbia.

Croatia was among the first to respond to Serbia’s appeal to help. The Red Cross of the Republic of Croatia has launched the action to raise funds for the flood-endangered population in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia. Financial aid is being received by online donations on websites of Croatian Red Cross.   Croatia also provided two military transport helicopters with crews and personnel to help those affected by floods.

The Slovenian government sent an additional special civil protection unit to Serbia, together with 19 experts, military helicopter, eleven vehicles and two special pumps for water draining. The Macedonian government decided to send 75 special unit members as assistance to flood-hit Serbia.

The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations immediately sent an Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft with 70 rescuers. The Russian rescue team also includes 20 divers with most up-to-date equipment. They took part in the rescue of citizens of Jagodina and surrounding villages, as well as in other flood-affected areas in our country. Two more planes of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations will deliver 100 tons of humanitarian aid to Serbia, including boats, equipment for water drainage and electricity supply, food and blankets.

The EU has sent to Serbia high-capacity drainage pumps and a team of experts tasked with providing assistance in the removal of consequences of the floods. Austria, Bulgaria and Germany were among the first to send assistance. The plan is to send helicopters. France has joined as well and sent 34 rescuers, ten motor boats and other equipment used in rescue operations. In addition, through its company in Serbia “Tigar Tyres” France has donated 1.2 million dinars to help the most vulnerable, and sent 5,000 pairs of rubber boots intended for residents of the flooded areas.

Israel has decided to help by sending medicines, blankets, raincoats, rubber boots and food.   Hungary granted five boats and helicopters for the rescue action and the Czech Republic granted assistance comprising a rescue team and a high-capacity drainage pump, as well as a boat and seven vehicles for various purposes. The United States donated $100,000 for the procurement of equipment and non-food items adequate for assistance to the flooded areas in Serbia. The Serbian people will never forget this!

We are and always will be inspired by good deeds and acts of kindness and respond in the same way whenever we are able to – whether it is to help a neighbour, friend, family, or a complete strange. Your little means so much to others and can change their lives.  

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Every day I take my puppy, Pekingese Soukie for a walk. Soukie leads a dreamy life; my boyfriend and I are simply crazy about her so she gets our full attention. I bath Soukie regularly so she always smells nice, and there are also these tiny fancy jackets, fur coats, shoes, dresses and all kinds of dog necklaces that she wears. In her case, the phrase “dog’s life” translates to a fabulous way of living.

Walking through the Neimarski park, we usually run into a stray dog. He’s skinny and looks at us with his big, sad eyes, as if begging for some love and attention. As we approach him closer, he first sniffs Soukie and then licks my hand. I wonder what he might be thinking as he sees dozens of people with their dogs passing by. What is it like when you belong to no one? When you have nobody to take care of you… Not having a place to live, always waiting for a stranger to give you some food.

I quickly go to a nearby store to buy some nice smelling bologna. We come back to our buddy. Suddendly, he looks so happy! I’m happy too for making his life easier at least for a moment. In the same time my heart is broken in half as I see him eating 400 gr of bologna in a second. Is the food all I can give him?

I’ve always wanted to help animals. I decided to use my knowledge of social networks and current online trends to do something for stray dogs that I like very much. I created the Facebook page FeedTheDog  and came up with the hashtag #FeedTheDog, as well as  with the idea for Instagram campaign. I said to myself “If Soukie and I can help the stray dog – everybody can do it!”. I was sure that there were others who share the same compassion for stray dogs and their needs.

For most people in Serbia, the standard of living is very low. Only a few can donate money to campaigns and charities. However, I believe that each of us can take leftovers of our breakfast, lunch or dinner, that usually end up as garbage and give them to a starving dog. Although the campaign is generally focused on dogs, our goal is to promote generosity not only towards stray dogs, towards all the animals in need.

The number of people of good will who feed hungry dogs on streets is growing. They are using social networks to mobilize other people to do the same thing. They are sending us photos and we are happy to publish them and share with our followers on the Facebook. In that way, other people can see them and understand that they too can help. “Hey, I can do that too!”. Our activists keep sending us their stories on a daily basis. Many of them make me tear up. There is no way to remain indifferent to them.

The people who help abandoned animals are true heroes of our time. Many give up half or whole of their meal when they see hungry eyes on the street. There those who always have some dog food  in the trunk of their cars or in a bag. #FeedTheDog action is a great success, and it made me believe that there are still good and noble people, everywhere.

Apart from feeding the animals, the aim of our campaign is to help stray dogs with deteriortaing health condition. For example, two months ago there was a girl who picked up a dog with a broken spine off the street and took him to the vet. She was told that the dog should be put to sleep to prevent the pain and further suffering . However, the girl refused to follow vet’s advice. She brought the dog home, named it Balu and asked #FeedTheDog for help. It took us a month to raise funds for Balu’s wheelchairs, medications and other necessities. The most fascinating thing is that Balu, in addition to Andrea’s love and affection, started to walk without wheelchairs.

The feeling that you’ve helped a helpless creature is priceless. #FeedTheDog is the campaign that makes you happy. You go to school in the morning, and it’s cloudy outside. Then you run into a little furry friend. You give it something to eat. It wags its tail – and all of a sudden there are no more clouds and it’s sunny again! Right?

Watch this  video. You will love it.

Photo credits:

Featured Photo:  Author:  rollanb  /  photo on flickr
Photo 2.  Author:  DiscoMurray  /  photo on flickr
Photo 3. London Calling by  Thomas Leuthard

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