EU will help us with 80 million euros, agreement signed today for two million for the health system

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Head of the EU Delegation to BiH Johann Sattler and UNDP Resident Representative in BiH Steliana Nedera today signed a financial aid package worth two million euros for the urgent medical needs of Bosnia and Herzegovina in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the first part of the EU aid, and the second part amounting to five million euros will follow soon, bringing the total EU aid for BiH's urgent needs to seven million euros, the EU Delegation announced.

These funds will enable the procurement of ventilators, testing kits, and significant quantities of personal protective equipment.

Sattler said that the European Union is always ready to help BiH in times of crisis.

"The EU and I as ambassador are ready to help BiH now, as we have done for the past two decades and a few years ago during the major floods in 2014. Our primary concern is the health of citizens, but we are also closely monitoring the economic consequences," Sattler said during a video conference.

He added that during the coronavirus pandemic, it is most important to save the lives and jobs of citizens, and that the first aid package for BiH worth 2 million euros was signed today.

"The procurement of 80 ventilators and coronavirus tests, as well as protective equipment, is underway. An aid package of five million euros will follow for the same purpose. More than 70 million euros is intended for saving jobs and assisting vulnerable companies that lost their jobs overnight. The entire aid package amounts to 80 million euros. Deeds, not words, are important now. The European Union will stand by you," Sattler said and appealed to the citizens of BiH to stay in their homes during the pandemic.

Nedera said that UNDP has been working to support partners in BiH in responding to the coronavirus pandemic since the state of emergency was declared.

"By signing today's agreement, we confirm a strong partnership with the European Union and domestic authorities in responding to the crisis caused by the coronavirus. We can achieve a lot together, as we showed during the 2014 floods. At this moment, we are focused on procuring necessary medical supplies to ensure the testing and treatment of people infected with coronavirus, as well as conditions for the smooth work of medical professionals," she said.

She added that UNDP is ready to start assessing the economic and social effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and that UNDP will define its future economic actions based on this analysis.