Heavy rains in late June caused water levels of rivers to rise, leading to severe flooding in several municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over 19,000 people have been affected with about 5,900 houses flooded and infrastructure being so severely damaged that electricity supply was interrupted and road traffic stopped in part of the country.

Close to 15,000 people are now in urgent need for the most basic items such as food, hygiene items and safe water to be distributed by the Red Cross of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has released 173,010 EUR in emergency funding from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to facilitate the immediate mobilisation of resources and relief for those affected by this disaster.

The European Commission supports the DREF by reimbursing the fund for grants made to address localised, small-scale disasters under the current funding agreement of EUR 1.5 million. Through its support, the European Commission shows its solidarity with the International Federation’s swift response and the people affected by the disaster.

Background

The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund was established in 1985 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF as a loan of start-up funding or as grant. For small-scale disasters, the IFRC allocates grants from the Fund, which can then be replenished by the donors. The contribution agreement between the IFRC and the European Commission enables the latter to replenish the DREF for agreed operations that fit in with its humanitarian mandate, up to a total of €1.5 million.

For information, please contact:

Slobodanka Curic, IFRC Disaster Management Coordinator Europe Zone

Telephone: +361 8884 510

Fax: +361 336 1516

Email: slobodanka.curic@ifrc.org