Huge floods in eastern Russia • Emergency aid sent to the Jews

Russian Federation enlisted to rescue the Jews of Eastern Russia affected by severe floods.

The area has been flooded and caused more than 100 deaths in nearby China, as a result of the rains, floods and landslides.

At least eight million people living in the area affected directly or indirectly. Heavy rains severely damaged the remote eastern regions of Russia, where reported more than 20,000 people were forced to abandon their homes as a result of the overflowing river.

Many residents in the river area and the city of Khabarovsk refuse to leave and prefer to stay on the roofs of their homes for fear of looting. River Bezier, whose width is normally a few hundred meters, also increased its banks and the distance from one another estimated about ten miles. Several villages located near the river completely flooded.

Authorities sent thousands of soldiers and rescue teams to the area in an attempt to restore order. Russian military set up 166 temporary shelters in three provinces and those providing water, food and medicine to civilians left homeless.

"Association of Jewish Communities of Russia" responded to a request of the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar and launched these days thousands of items of clothing and large sums of money to help many Jewish families affected.

Aid will be distributed by Chabad rabbis in the cities of East Russia - Rabbi Yaakov Santikov Rabbi of Khabarovsk and Rabbi Eliyahu Reese Rabbi of Birubiz'an.

It should be noted that buildings of synagogues, schools "Or Avner" and community institutions, were not affected and the upcoming school year will open as planned.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!