ZAGREB, Croatia—Disaster relief committees of Witness volunteers, assisted by representatives from the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses located in Germany, took action to aid victims of the worst flooding ever recorded in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia. Torrential rainfall in the Balkans from May 13-15, 2014, caused massive flooding and triggered some 3,000 landslides.

The disaster relief committees immediately provided transportation, food, clothing, and temporary housing to those displaced. While none of Jehovah’s Witnesses were killed or injured as a result of the disaster, at least 14 of their homes were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Also, one house of worship used by the Witnesses was destroyed. The committees are now coordinating the repair and renovation of damaged homes as well as the building of simple pre-fabricated houses for those whose homes were lost.

Josip Liović, a spokesman for the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Croatia, states: “We are relieved to hear that none in our congregations were harmed in this tragic event, yet our hearts go out to all who are grieving over the loss of family members and friends. Throughout the Balkans, we are making a special effort to comfort our neighbors. We are also grateful to our friends from Germany who have come to help us organize the relief efforts that will be needed in the coming weeks and months.”

Media Contact(s):

International: J. R. Brown, Office of Public Information, tel. +1 718 560 5000

Croatia: Josip Liović, tel. +385 91 5336 511

Serbia: Daniel Domonji, tel. +381 11 405 99 00