07.10.2014.

Humanitarian aid donated

Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic handed over today at the Grand Warrior Hall financial aid to members of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Serbia whose objects were damaged in floods in May and to military employee Snezana Zivkovic for further medical treatment of her daughter, which was collected by their colleagues, members of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Serbia in a humanitarian action. The aid handover was also attended by Head of the General Staff General Dikovic and members of the Collegium of the Minister of Defence.

According to Minister Gasic, aside from this, as he underlined, emotional moment, members of the defence system have shown and proved numerous times that they have a great heart and humanity.

- I proudly state that we were among the first ones to help the citizens in flooded areas. I would also emphasize what you probably already know – that the military helps their citizens day and night and works on repairing the damage from the floods that hit our country – Defence minister stressed.

In this action, Minister Gasic added, organized for collecting aid for its members whose residential objects have been damaged in the floods, voluntary donations have collected 6,005,960.00 dinars. Today, aid has been given to 30 persons, and the financial aid for the rest of the members from the list will be handed over today and tomorrow.

- So far, we have not only completed our main tasks, but have repeatedly provided care for our employees and their families, and we always have and always will collect aid for those who need it – Minister Gasic said, reminding that, in the past two years, members of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Serbia have participated in a total of eight humanitarian actions for financing medical treatment of sick children, and 5,679,930.00 dinars were collected then.

Talking about the previous actions, Minister Gasic said that Jovana Zivkovic, daughter of Snezana Zivkovic, military employee at the Military Hospital in Nis, is one of the children who desperately need help and is in this hospital for the second time this year.

- We have collected 2,755,000.00 dinars for Jovana’s treatment, and this money was today handed over to her mother Snezana. With this humanitarian gesture, we show that our members are not alone in tough times and that they can count on humanitarian help when they need it – Minister Gasic stated, adding that everyone is aware that the collected money will not be enough to repair the damage and that it will not solve all existential and health issues, with firm belief that the efforts are going in that direction.

Defence Ministry and SAF are parts of the defence system of the Republic of Serbia which are always prepared to react and to serve their citizens, whenever necessary, and whenever the state calls them – Minister Gasic said at the end of his address.

Answering press inquiries about the upcoming military parade, Defence Minister said that all allies have been invited and that all friends of our countries are welcomed at this ceremony. Minister Gasic also pointed out that the Armed Forces of Serbia are fully prepared for the organization of this event.

Discussing future humanitarian actions within the defence system, Minister Gasic stressed that all members of the Defence Ministry and SAF have also reported the damage to the Government Office for Reconstruction and Flood Relief, from which they will also receive a part of the money the Office has collected from donors. He added that the aid that was handed over today is a gesture to provide additional help with the hardships they are facing with humble donations from their colleagues, which shows that this is a great team, that sticks together in all situations.