A volunteer reaches for another bottle of water. A firefighter takes a few minutes between shifts. Someone working deep in the field opens an energy bar before returning to the smoke, heat and long hours of Deliblatska Peščara.
In those small moments, support becomes very real.
More than 500 people were still working across the wider operational area, protecting communities and one of Serbia’s most important natural landscapes. Behind their effort stood a logistical system that had to keep moving — quietly, responsibly and without interruption.
That is where the Rotary family of Zrenjanin chose to help.
On 31 August 2026, the Rotary family of Zrenjanin delivered water, food, drinks and quick-energy supplies to the Red Cross in Kovin, supporting the people who were spending long hours protecting communities, lives and one of Serbia’s most important natural areas.
The action was carried out by members of the Rotary Club of Zrenjanin, Inner Wheel Club of Zrenjanin and Rotaract Club of Zrenjanin, with the support of local business partners Gomex, Green Industry, Jensen Balkan d.o.o. and Evergreen Flower Shop. The total value of the aid was around 160,000 Serbian dinars.
The support included products that could be used easily during work in the field: water, drinks, energy bars, sweet and savoury products and other practical supplies. Gomex provided 1,000 bottles of water of 1.5 litres each — a total of 1,500 litres of water. Green Industry and Jensen Balkan d.o.o. contributed additional in-kind donations, while Evergreen Flower Shop provided transport and fuel for the delivery to Kovin.
The aid was handed over to the Red Cross in Kovin, which is part of the organised logistical support for the teams on the ground. This was an important and responsible choice. The clubs did not make independent visits to the fire site. Instead, the supplies were included in the existing support system, so they could be distributed safely and according to real needs.
During the handover, members of the Zrenjanin Rotary family spoke with representatives of the Red Cross in Kovin about the situation in the field. According to the information received, more than 500 people from local and international services and organisations were still engaged in the wider operational area. The Red Cross in Kovin had mobilised 53 volunteers and 16 staff members.
The initiative continued the wider action launched by Daliborka Bradić, Governor of Rotary District 2483 Serbia and Montenegro. In an earlier delivery coordinated by the Rotary Club of Smederevo, clubs from the District collected and handed over goods worth around 360,000 Serbian dinars.
This action shows how Rotary can help in a crisis without creating parallel structures or additional pressure. By listening to those coordinating the response and delivering support through the right channels, the Rotary family of Zrenjanin helped reinforce the people and systems already working on the ground.
It was a practical act of solidarity — simple, timely and deeply needed.
Rotary, Inner Wheel, Rotaract, friends and business partners came together around one clear purpose: to support those who had been working for days to protect the population and Deliblatska Peščara.
In moments like this, lasting impact begins with responsibility, coordination and care.
