In May 2014 heavy rains in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) caused large-scale flooding with subsequent landslides. The number of landslides has been over 3,000, which risk to have, in addition to all other damages, moved mines and warning signs to unknown locations. According to the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities, 60 towns and cities were severely or slightly affected, occupying an approximately total area of 10.000 km2 – 13.000 km2.

On 15 May 2014 the Ministry of Security of BiH requested international assistance from the Union Civil Protection Mechanism through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) of the European Commission. The European Union (EU) responded with one of its largest ever humanitarian assistance efforts.

In addition to immediate humanitarian aid, the European Commission (EC) has allocated an extra €65 million to tackle the aftermath of the floods in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Out of this, €3 million in humanitarian aid will be released to help the most vulnerable people in both countries to address their most immediate needs, in particular food, health and sanitation, first aid and shelter. The remaining €62 million has been mobilised to respond to short to medium term reconstruction and relief needs in the affected areas. This funding is re-allocated from previous programmes under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).

This RTRS reportage explores the details of the EU’s assistance to BiH to date amid the heaviest floods ever recorded in the country.