EU REQUEST FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE SUBMITTED

SARAJEVO, OCTOBER 5 /SRNA/ - Today, the Ministry of Security in the Council of Ministers sent a request through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for international assistance to repair the consequences of landslides and floods that affected several municipalities in the Federation of BiH /FBiH/.

The request was sent after the FBiH Government made a decision that, due to the scale of the floods, international assistance is required in the remediation of the consequences, and submitted a list of necessary equipment and resources. The Ministry of Security announced that they are in constant contact with representatives of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in Brussels, and are making preparations so that the aid sent to BiH reaches the residents and municipalities that need it most at the moment as easily and quickly as possible. The Minister of Security said that the Ministry will continue to monitor the situation on the ground and to coordinate the provision of assistance in flood-affected areas. Nešić stated that after Jablanica today he visited Fojnica, Kreševo and Kiseljak with Council of Ministers Chairwoman, Borjana Krišto, and that he expects the first international aid from Croatia and Serbia to arrive tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. He emphasized that the Council of Ministers has already made a decision to allocate funds from the budget reserve in order to help vulnerable areas. Nešić pointed out that financial compensation will be provided, but that, unfortunately, human lives cannot be restored, which is the biggest tragedy of this disaster. "We feel the solidarity of not only neighbouring countries. Today I received a message from Azerbaijan, which expressed its readiness to help. I believe that we will get back to normal very soon, but, unfortunately, we cannot restore and compensate for human lives," Nešić said on X social network. Certain parts of the Federation of BiH were hit by floods and landslides on the night between Thursday and Friday, October 3 to 4, in which human lives were lost and great material damage was caused. Due to the situation caused by heavy rainfall, catastrophic floods and landslides, the FBiH Government yesterday declared a state of natural disaster in the territory of the Federation and formed a crisis headquarters which is in permanent session and has the task of coordinating rescue activities.