Project HOPE volunteers clean up after massive flooding in Macedonia

HOPE Responds to Massive Flooding in Macedonia

Project HOPE employees and local volunteers from HOPE’s Macedonian office quickly pitched in to help with massive flooding.
By: Stefanie Maringer, Local Project HOPE Volunteer

Project HOPE volunteers respond to floods in Macedonia

More than a week after Macedonia’s capital city Skopje was hit by torrential rains that killed at least 22 and injured many, part of the city and its neighbouring districts still remain under a state of emergency.

On Saturday, Aug. 6, 3.5 inches (93 mm) of rain fell in Skopje within five hours and water levels went up to five feet (1.5 meters) in the most affected areas.

A group of Project HOPE employees and local volunteers from HOPE’s Macedonian office quickly pitched in to help by cleaning out flooded houses and delivering much needed medicine, sanitary products and cleaning items to the victims.

The flood swept away part of Skopje’s Ring Road, carrying away people in their cars. Houses were flooded and partly devastated, particularly in the Northern suburbs of the Macedonian capital, leaving many without electricity for days.

“Everything was a mess,” said Baze Spriovski, a 43-year-old resident of Singelic in the outskirts of Skopje. “Televisions, the fridge, the sofa, everything was floating … it was a nightmare.”

Project HOPE volunteers provide assistance to flood victims in Macedonia

Many people also lost livestock in the floods. Small agricultural farmers will likely not be able to produce any products for the next few years for reasons of soil contamination.

Special police forces, the military and KFOR forces have been present in the most affected areas in order to help and coordinate the delivery of drinking water and the cleaning of scattered debris from streets and gardens.

“This is a disaster; we have never experienced such a thing,” said Skopje’s Mayor Koce Trajanovski.

Today, 10 days after the catastrophe, the situation in the most affected areas is bit more stable, but the need for manpower, drinking water, supplies and medication is still urgent. Project HOPE is planning more visits to provide help, clothing and medication. Medical supplies available in the U.S. warehouse will be sent by air.

Experts are anticipating that the consequences will be most visible in the next three months when epidemics of communicable diseases may spread.