International Development Projects and Disaster Relief – Europe

Emergency Relief Balkans
UNICEF, 2014, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia

The floods in May 2014 in the Balkans are considered the worst in the region since weather records. Many cities were flooded, infrastructure and homes have been destroyed by the floods and mudslides - more than a million people, of which approximately 500,000 children, have been affected.

Due to the devastating effects of flooding in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia, BASF Stiftung has initiated a project with its long-time partner UNICEF. The projects measure is to rebuild and re-establish damaged preschools and schools. Additionally, affected children receive psychosocial care to better cope with their traumatic experiences. Together with BASF managers in the region as well as experts from international organizations, BASF Stiftung has assessed the situation and decided to support the emergency relief project of UNICEF.

Flood Relief Germany
Various partners, 2013, Germany

Between mid-May and early July 2013, heavy rains caused severe flooding in seven countries of Central Europe. The flood of 2013 has resulted to severe flooding in large parts of Germany, especially in the south and east. Mainly affected were the states of Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony and Bavaria. In some places, the rivers reached record water levels.
Due to the flooding, around 6.68 billion euros in damages incurred. The disaster led to a large helpfulness in Germany. BASF and its employees donated diligently to provide emergency care for the affected people and to repair the damage. BASF Stiftung used the funds to support various organizations with donations for emergency assistance and the elimination of flood damage as well as some employees who were in distress by the floods.

Improved prospects for the children of economic migrants
Save the Children, 2013, Romania

In Romania, one of the poorest countries in Europe, 25 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. In particular, the high rate of emigration of the workforce poses huge challenges to society.

Under these circumstances, the situation of the many children left behind by migrant workers is very difficult, and social isolation, low self-esteem and declining academic performance are often the result. The project that is being run by Save the Children with support from the BASF Stiftung, a charitable foundation based in Ludwigshafen, is intended to provide children with stability, security and better prospects in the future. The focus is on activities such as supervising homework, providing psychological counseling and creating facilities for leisure and recreation. This ensures a better social inclusion and participation of the affected children and enables them to take advantage of educational opportunities. At the same time, training and advice is provided to key players in education, government and the wider community, such as teachers, carers, family members and local officials.