By Duncan Mackay at The Hilton Hotel in Nicosia

Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia have all been devastated by the Balkan floods ©Getty ImagesA special grant of $50,000 (£30,000/€37,000) each is to be awarded by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) to Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia following the recent floods in the Western Balkans, it was announced here today. 


The financial aid package was agreed at the Executive Committee of the EOC and will be distributed to the National Olympic Committees in each of the three countries. 

It is to be used to help support sport-related activities affected by the floods, the worst to hit the area in the last 120 years.

More than 100,000 houses have been toppled or submerged in mud and more than a million people are affected by the disaster.

The decision to offer financial support to the countries affected by the Balkan floods was taken during a meeting of the European Olympic Committees ruling Executive Board in Nicosia ©EOCThe decision to offer financial support to the countries affected by the Balkan floods was taken during a meeting of the European Olympic Committees ruling Executive Board in Nicosia ©EOC

The Executive Committee made the decision ahead of the 35th EOC Seminar, due to take place here tomorrow and Saturday (May 25). 

"Today the EOC Executive Committee met to discuss how we could respond in a meaningful way to these terrible floods and I am delighted with the decision that has been taken," said Patrick Hickey, President of the EOC. 

"These floods have damaged Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia in a way which their people may only have thought possible in war, that's how bad things are.

"Given people's passion for sport in these countries, sport-related activities are going to play a huge part in their recovery and rehabilitation.

"This money will help elite and grass roots athletes alike during this difficult time."

The Foundation established by former NBA star Vlade Divac, President of the National Olympic Committee of Serbia, has been helping raise funds for victims of the floods ©FacebookThe Foundation established by former NBA star Vlade Divac, President of the National Olympic Committee of Serbia, has been helping raise funds for victims of the floods ©Facebook

The donation follows help offered to the victims earlier this week by the Olympic Committee of Serbia and the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, an organisation set-up by the former Los Angeles Lakers star, who is also NOC President, runs together with his wife.

They joined forces with the Red Cross in the launch of an aid campaign for the people in the areas of Serbia struck by the deluge.

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