Head of Delegation/EU Special Representative, Ambassador Peter Sorensen, underlined today that the EU will spare no effort in the short or long term to help Bosnia and Herzegovina recover from the devastating floods in the country.

Ambassador Sorensen said:

“I express my sincere condolences and those of the EU to those who have lost loved ones through the devastating floods in the region, and our thoughts are with those who have relatives or friends missing.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be left alone. The EU is fully and actively committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina to tackle the short and long term consequences. We have responded immediately to the requests of the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities as they have come in to the European Commission Emergency Response Coordination Centre. An EU Civil Protection Team has been deployed and is at work making the initial assessments. The European Commission is providing satellite imagery of the flooded areas to the relevant authorities and is co-financing the transport of aid.

“I have only the highest praise for the efforts of private citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina who, as we have seen in the last days, have responded with enormous humanitarian spirit. The scale of voluntary activity is truly impressive and shows Bosnia and Herzegovina at its best. I also welcome the support given to Bosnia and Herzegovina by our partners and individuals around the world.

“We now have material or financial contributions from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom either on the ground or waiting to be taken up.     

“The European Commission services are currently working urgently on a support package for Bosnia and Herzegovina under the EU accession funds. This will address medium and longer term measures. The first step is of course an assessment of the damages.

“The EU will continue to be closely engaged as the situation develops.”