Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church, currently on a canonical visit to Canada, has expressed deep concern over the catastrophic flooding in Herzegovina. According to the Serbian Church's website, the Patriarch has instructed the Department of Religious Charity in Belgrade to provide an emergency donation of €100,000 to support the most affected families. This aid will be distributed through the Diocese of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, and will reach families regardless of their religion or nationality. The diocese has also initiated a fundraising campaign to assist those in need.

Patriarch Porfirije called on all the peoples of the Balkans, particularly those in the Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina, to show solidarity during these challenging times. He emphasized the importance of mutual support and prayed for the victims, asking the Lord to end the flooding and bring comfort to those who have lost their homes and possessions.

The sudden flood, which began in Bosnia and Herzegovina on the night of October 4, caused widespread devastation in the southern regions of the country. The latest reports indicate that the death toll has decreased from 18 to 16, with at least 10 people still missing. The mountain village of Jablanica was hit the hardest, with 12 reported fatalities. A landslide in the area destroyed roads and railways, cutting the village off from the rest of the country.

Floodwaters also washed away bridges and roads in several other communities, leaving them isolated. Rescue teams are working amid damaged power and communication lines. Due to the disaster, local elections scheduled for October 6 have been postponed.

While neighboring Croatia and Montenegro also experienced flooding, the damage was less severe, and no fatalities were reported. Other Central and Eastern European countries have also recently been affected by floods.