In the wake of severe flooding in the Balkans, Belgium has decided to send a B-FAST team to Montenegro, one of the hardest-hit countries in the region, in response to an appeal by the Montenegrin government.

The B-FAST Coordination Council, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere, has decided to dispatch a two-strong Civil Protection team and around 10 water pumps.

The mission will cost around €45,000 and a cargo plane will leave for Montenegro within the next few days.

COLOMBIA

CHF International is currently responding to one of the most underreported natural disasters of 2010. Unusually heavy seasonal rains in Colombia have caused massive flooding and subsequent mud and landslides, affecting over 1.5 million people. Since September the flooding has caused over 170 deaths, 220 injuries and damaged over 230,000 homes. On November 18, the Colombian government declared a public emergency in the Capital District and 28 of the country's 32 provinces. The rising water levels have isolated many rural communities, and countless

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg approved humanitarian aid for Montenegro and Bosna and Herzegovina stricken by flood caused by heavy rains, on December 8, 2010.

Both countries asked for international aid, especially for boats, tents, pumps, generators and other equipment needed for evacuated people and disposal of consequences of the flood. The humanitarian aid in an amount of 3,6 mil. CZK provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be implemented by the non-governmental organization People in Need.

Albania was stricken by flood too. The

* Flooding incurs over 340mln euros damage in several states

* Some 20,000 people evacuated

By Daria Sito-Sucic and Benet Koleka

SARAJEVO/TIRANA, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Heavy rain in the Balkans has killed three people, forced the evacuation of around 20,000 from inundated areas and caused more than 340 million euros ($450.8 million) in damage, officials said on Monday.

Three family members were killed when a landslide hit their house in the northeastern Bosnian town of Tuzla on Sunday. A total of 4,000 people have been evacuated in Bosnia so far.

Athens, 5 December 2010

Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Rocen contacted Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas earlier today and informed him that the Montenegrin authorities will take the Greek government up on its offer of assistance in regions of Montenegro hit by extensive flooding in recent days. Mr. Rocen thanked the Greek side for its readiness to offer assistance and noted that Greece was among the first countries to offer its help to Montenegro.

In light of this, an air force C-130 aircraft will depart for Montenegro in the coming hours, carrying tents

Information bulletin n=B0 IB CSE 031210

03 December 2010

This bulletin is being issued for information only, and it reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation at the given stage. The National Societies in the affected region will, however, accept direct assistance to provide support to the affected population.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent emergency response. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of National Societies to respond to disasters.

CHF 50,526 (USD 51,384 or EUR 37,763) has been allocated from the IFRC's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF)

RASR Initiative Issue Brief No. 1

With the decline in tensions in South-east Europe, and with the transition to NATO weaponry, many states are left with stockpiles of surplus small arms and ammunition.

Recognizing the need to manage these stockpiles, countries in the region have sought to participate in collaborative programmes with other states. The United States has supported a Regional Approach to Stockpile Reduction (RASR) Initiative to assist nine countries in South-east Europe to better manage their stockpiles, including through destruction where appropriate.

13 October 2010

By Giovanni Zambello, IFRC and Milica Kovacevic, Montenegro Red Cross

Every second Wednesday of October, the world marks International Day of Disaster Reduction. It is an opportunity for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world to highlight the importance of disaster preparedness in order to minimize the humanitarian impact of natural disasters.

The Montenegro Red Cross (MRC) recently participated in an international disaster simulation exercise "Medceur 2010", held in Danilovgrad, and jointly organized by the Montenegro