First residential containers and generators delivered from Turkey to Konjic

(Patria) - The first residential containers and generators were delivered late last night to Konjic, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the municipalities most affected by the devastating floods and landslides that hit parts of this country last week, Anadolu reports.

The handover of equipped residential containers and generators, aid from Turkiye, was attended by the country's ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Sadik Babur Girgin, Deputy Chairman of the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) Hamza Tasdelen, who has been on the ground in BiH for days, the Mayor of Konjic Osman Ćatić, TIKA coordinator for BiH Erdinc Isik, and other officials.

In a conversation with Anadolu, Turkish Ambassador Girgin reminded that they met and discussed with representatives of municipal and cantonal authorities the day after the floods hit the area, regarding what was most needed to provide for the population affected by the disaster.

"Turkiye was among the first to arrive on the ground, and this is an indicator of our brotherhood. Likewise, when a strong earthquake hit our country last year, rescue teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina, from the city of Konjic, came to help us. We delivered the first part of our aid to Konjic tonight. The mayor is here. We hope that our brothers will get better living conditions as soon as possible," said Girgin.

AFAD Deputy Chairman Tasdelen emphasized that they came to Bosnia and Herzegovina without waiting for a call for help and that they identified the needs after surveying the flooded area.

"These containers are living containers. It is a fully equipped house, including an air conditioner, heater, refrigerator, beds, and kitchen sets. Of course, the dead will not return, but it is very important to be able to heal the wounds of the Bosnian people and stand by them as much as possible. Our embassy, TIKA, and the Red Crescent have joined forces and organized this action. Our five trucks, the first contingent of our shipment, have arrived on the ground. A total of 31 trucks are being prepared, 30 of which are transporting containers, and one truck is transporting other materials, such as generators," said Tasdelen.

Tasdelen added that the connection between Turkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina has no borders, and that living space will be created as soon as possible for those whose homes have been destroyed.

The Mayor of Konjic, Ćatić, thanked the Republic of Turkey, as he said, for its very quick response to the needs of citizens affected by the floods.

"All available teams, namely the institutions of the Republic of Turkey, from TIKA, the ambassador, AFAD, and, of course, the minister who visited here, were immediately on the ground. Immediately after that, concrete aid followed, so tonight we have a convoy arriving here as alternative accommodation for the disaster victims. The way this was done, we can say that in less than 48 hours, the entire team was available, and today we have the realization of what we agreed upon on the ground," explained Ćatić, adding:

"My appeal to all those who want to help is to work in this way, as the Republic of Turkey has done, to work through the state institutions, and that aid will automatically reach those who need it."

In the first phase, 16 containers and generators were delivered, with a total of nine trucks, while the remaining aid is expected in the coming days.

The total aid that Turkey is delivering to the flood-affected areas consists of 60 residential containers, 96 generators, 228 rollaway beds, 144 kitchen sets, 1,110 blankets, 60 air conditioners, 60 mini-refrigerators, and 60 ovens.

A high-level delegation from the Republic of Turkey, led by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu, visited Buturović Polje, near Konjic, which was hit by catastrophic floods on Monday.

At least 23 people died in the floods and landslides that hit parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina after severe storms accompanied by rain late last week. Of that number, 20 people died in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, and three in the municipality of Fojnica. Five people are still missing.