GOVERNMENT TO HELP RESIDENTS AND FARMERS

NEVESINJE, JULY 22 /SRNA/ - The Republika Srpska Government will help residents and farmers in Nevesinje recover from the consequences of the severe storm that struck the municipality, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Anđelka Kuzmić said after visiting the storm-affected areas.

Kuzmić said that orchards, vegetable crops, buildings, vehicles, and other private property were damaged in yesterday's storm, adding that the damage was extensive. "The greatest damage was suffered by four villages inhabited by hardworking farming families," Kuzmić added. She pointed out that some of the crops could still be saved, which is why the relevant authorities would do everything possible to assist producers. "We will do everything we can to ensure that every farmer remains in the countryside and that even more people choose to stay there," the minister said. She recalled that the municipal damage assessment commission had been established and called on residents to report any damage they had sustained. "Once we have precise data on the extent and type of damage, the Government will respond. Whether the assistance will be provided through the Solidarity Fund or the relevant ministries will be decided after the assessments have been completed. I spoke about everything last night with the Prime Minister, who is aware of the situation," the minister said. She stressed that the Ministry's expert teams would be in the field to assess the damage together with local authorities and farmers and provide the necessary assistance. "This is a major shock. Those who are not involved in agriculture can hardly understand what it is like when, overnight, everything you have invested months of work and expectations into is destroyed," Kuzmić said. She stressed that the hail protection system was active yesterday in Nevesinje, Berkovići and other parts of Republika Srpska, and that more than 50 anti-hail rockets were fired. "We received a report that everything was carried out in accordance with the protocols. The storm system arrived from an unprotected area of the Federation of BiH, and this was a case of unpredictable storm movement," she said. She stressed that agriculture in the future would not be able to operate without anti-hail nets or irrigation systems. "Climate change is bringing supercell storms that are impossible to predict, prevent or influence, even though everything that was planned has been carried out," Kuzmić stressed. She pointed out the importance of preventive crop protection, noting that the Ministry co-finances the purchase of anti-hail nets, but that many farmers still do not use them. "Once we restore what has been destroyed, people need to be aware that there will be more and more such events in the future and that agricultural production will no longer be possible to plan without adequate protection," Kuzmić said. Regarding damage to buildings and other private property, Kuzmić said that commissions would determine the extent in the coming days. "The damage is not the same when it comes to agricultural holdings, residential buildings and vehicles, but residents will not be left to fend for themselves," Kuzmić concluded.