EU finances flood recovery projects in BiH worth 43.5 million euros

The European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina is launching a Flood Recovery Programme worth 43.52 million euros, of which the EU co-finances 42.24 million euros, to help flood-affected areas in BiH, it was announced from the EU Delegation to BiH, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

With the aim of enabling the normalization of living conditions in local communities and ensuring that aid reaches the most vulnerable, this Programme will be implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in BiH (UNDP) until October 2015. The relevant contract for the implementation of the Programme was signed today with UNDP.

Financial resources will be used for the restoration of public services and infrastructure, reconstruction of housing for the most vulnerable, and socio-economic recovery of local communities.

Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to BiH Renzo Daviddi said he was pleased that the necessary assistance has finally reached the field.

- Work on the renovation of schools has already begun, and our goal is for the schools to be ready during September, so that children can continue their education - Daviddi said.

The Recovery Needs Assessment, conducted by domestic authorities with the assistance of the European Union, the United Nations, and the World Bank, indicates that almost one million residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina were affected by the floods. Therefore, providing timely and coordinated assistance to normalize living conditions is a priority for the European Union Delegation to BiH.

This aid from the EU Delegation is part of the funds that the European Union committed at the Donors' Conference in Brussels in July. Activities will focus on the reconstruction of 4,000 housing units for about 14,000 citizens, the restoration of key public services and infrastructure (including schools, health facilities, water supply and sewage, and smaller roads and bridges) in 50 locations, as well as providing assistance to retain and create about 2,000 jobs in flood-affected areas. The selection of beneficiaries will be based on the findings of the Recovery Needs Assessment and a public call that will be published soon, with a special emphasis on the most vulnerable categories of the population, such as the elderly, families with children, and persons with disabilities.

The EU Delegation to BiH remains committed to providing assistance to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina in overcoming the consequences of the May floods, it was announced from the EU Delegation to BiH, reports Patria.