Head of EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and EU Special Representative Ambassador Peter Sorensen visited the Operational and Communication Centre of Bosnia and Herzegovina today. The Centre is tasked with coordination efforts in providing assistance for the flooded areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is also a focal point for international aid, including the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which has been activated upon request of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.
“The matter of transporting the collected humanitarian aid and evacuation is an immediate priority for all involved. We are trying to assist the BiH authorities in coping with these severe floods. The European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and its Emergency Response Coordination Centre are in constant touch with the relevant authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU Member States investigating the possibilities of further assistance. The EU stands ready to help. Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina are our friends, our neighbours and future members of the Union, ” said Ambassador Sorensen.
Till now, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and Luxembourg have sent helicopters and boats to support the evacuation and transportation efforts on the ground. The EU Civil Protection Team is hoped to come to BIH tomorrow to facilitate the arrival of the EU in-coming assistance. EUFOR helicopters are deployed and many other countries are bilaterally in the process of coordinating assistance efforts, such as UK firefighter team expected to arrive tonight.
