The state staff for emergency situations today suggested that the government allocates RSD 150 million to help endangered local self-governments clear up the consequences of inclement weather and to extend the engagement of snow clear machines for another five days.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, who is also commander of the state staff for emergency situations, said at the staff meeting today that Serbia is slowly emerging from the emergency situation, adding that it is not the only country struck by severe weather.

He said that this was the first time Serbia has responded in the manner defined by the Law on emergency situations.

Assistant Minister of the Interior and Head of the Sector for Emergency Situations Predrag Maric said that the situation is now better than in the previous period and that currently 3,757 people are cut off from the world and can be reached only by helicopters.

He noted that the situation is the severest in the municipalities of Priboj, Sjenica and Nova Varos, voicing his hope that things will improve there in the upcoming 48 hours.

Maric recalled that cold weather has so far claimed 21 lives, while two persons are still missing.

Several evacuation operations have been conducted and 283 people evacuated, he observed, voicing his gratitude to the Serbian Army and the fire brigades who participated in these operations.

Government measures are yielding results and we can expect things to improve in the period ahead, Maric added.

Minister of Education and Science Zarko Obradovic said that the majority of elementary and secondary schools, as well as faculties, will resume work on Monday 20 February, although some schools may experience difficulties due to leaks caused by the melting snow.

Obradovic said that 63 out of 1,796 schools in Serbia will not be working, which is only 3.4%.

Certain local self-governments are working during the weekend to clear up the consequences of bad weather.

Obradovic said that a plan to make up for the lost school days has already been drafted.