Defense minister now in charge of flood-hit Obrenovac

Defense minister now in charge of flood-hit Obrenovac

BELGRADE -- The government has appointed Bratislav Gašić as coordinator of all activities to reduce the impact of floods and provide assistance to residents of Obrenovac.

The defense minister said on Tuesday that he was entrusted with the task of "bringing life in the municipality back to normal as soon as possible."

Gašić and members of Serbian Army will be providing around-the-clock support on the ground to the residents of Obrenovac municipality starting today.

The soldiers will set up two large military hospitals in Obrenovac during the day, and members of the Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Security (ABHO) unit will be deployed to the municipality as well.

A veterinary unit, available army machinery and a substantial number of troops will also be sent to Obrenovac, added Gašić.

He noted that the sanitation, clean-up and disinfection of the terrain have to be completed "by Friday."

Before heading for Obrenovac on Tuesday, Gašić opened the 3rd Pan European Congress of Military Medicine in Belgrade.