Helez Signs Order. BiH Armed Forces Members to Assist Slovenia

(Patria) - Zukan Helez, Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed an order for the deployment of a temporary unit of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Slovenia, where they will assist in removing the consequences of the catastrophic floods that have hit the country.

The unit will stay in Slovenia for one month, with the possibility of extending the mission depending on the situation on the ground.

Members of the BiH Armed Forces will be seen off on their journey to Slovenia from the Kozara barracks in Banja Luka on Friday, August 11, by the Deputy Minister of Defence of BiH, Aleksandar Goganović.

The Ministry of Defence of BiH received a request from the Civil Protection Mechanism for assistance to Slovenia, which is part of the Ministry of Security of BiH, Faktor reports.

Slovenia, through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, requested international assistance after severe weather and heavy rainfall that flooded numerous facilities and damaged roads. The country also requested helicopters, soldiers, and pontoon bridges from NATO. Croatia and Hungary provided assistance with helicopters, and Germany with a civil protection team.

Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes across northwestern and central Slovenia. Slovenian media report that the army, firefighters, and rescuers are trying to free others and clear the streets. Six people have died since Friday.

The Slovenian Environment Agency announced that the floods began to recede on Monday, but some areas are still cut off. The European Union offered heavy machinery and engineering units.

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob stated that according to the latest estimates, the damage from the catastrophic floods in Slovenia will reach several billion euros.