KS declares state of natural disaster

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Government of Sarajevo Canton today adopted a decision declaring a state of natural disaster due to floods in the KS area.

The decision was made at the proposal of the Cantonal Civil Protection Headquarters, after the current situation was reviewed, and considering that the municipalities of Ilijaš and Vogošća have declared a state of natural disaster, as well as the municipality of Ilidža for the areas of Local Communities Donji Kotorac, Butmir, Otes, Osijek, Blažuj and Vreoce.

"The decision activates the entire system in Sarajevo Canton and places it at the disposal of the Cantonal Civil Protection Headquarters, and enables the activation of dedicated funds to help residents in need. Three affected municipalities have reacted, and I don't know why some haven't, like Novi Grad," stated the Prime Minister of KS, Edin Forto.

This means that the Cantonal Civil Protection Headquarters takes full control and command over all civil protection services, legal entities, and public enterprises.

It has been determined that all cantonal ministries, independent cantonal administrations and administrative organizations, public institutions and organizations, as well as public enterprises and other legal entities, and competent municipal civil protection headquarters shall place all resources at the disposal of the KS Civil Protection Headquarters, which will be used in the affected areas, according to the plans for the protection and rescue of people and material goods.

The KS Government determines that work shall be organized immediately and passive duty shall be introduced to implement the orders of the Sarajevo Canton Civil Protection Headquarters in all cantonal ministries, independent administrations and administrative organizations, as well as public institutions and organizations.

It has also been determined that the KS Civil Protection Headquarters, in accordance with the expressed needs in the affected areas, may engage the relevant cantonal protection and rescue services and cantonal specialized civil protection units, as well as other legal entities, public enterprises, and citizens.

"Costs incurred by the engagement of the KS Civil Protection Headquarters, cantonal protection and rescue services, cantonal specialized civil protection units, as well as additional planned engagement of missing resources during the implementation of protection and rescue operations for people in the affected areas, will be covered from the funds of the special fee for protection from natural and other disasters, according to the procedures prescribed by the Decision on the conditions and manner of using funds generated from the special fee for protection from natural and other disasters, as well as from funds generated from aid from higher levels of government," it is stated in the Decision.

The heads of cantonal ministries, independent cantonal administrations and administrative organizations, as well as heads of city and municipal administrative services, and heads of legal entities and other institutions are obliged to ensure the implementation of the orders of the competent civil protection headquarters.

The decision to declare a disaster takes effect immediately.