Serbia is experiencing severe drought and hydrological stress following prolonged high temperatures and reduced water availability. In Kraljevo, more than 60 Roma families are reported to be without access to drinking water, while 11 additional rural settlements with a combined population of 3,829 people have been identified as particularly vulnerable to water shortages. In Novi Sad, around 240 people from vulnerable Roma households are affected by extreme heat and very low Danube water levels, while in Plandište around 70 older people and children with developmental disabilities are considered particularly at risk.
ACT Alliance members Philanthropy – Charitable Foundation of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organisation (EHO) are considering a localized response in Kraljevo, Novi Sad &Plandište through the Rapid Response Fund (RRF). The proposed response would prioritize the distribution of safe drinking water and basic food assistance to the most vulnerable households, alongside water sampling and laboratory testing of rural water systems to identify potential public-health risks and inform further action.
