Poor planning, illegal construction, and logging worsen the consequences of natural disasters in BiH

(Patria) - Poor planning, illegal construction, and illegal logging significantly worsen the consequences of natural disasters, it was emphasized today at the Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction which was held today.

The conference was organized by the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina within the framework of the Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in BiH, with the aim of strengthening the capacities of institutions at all levels of government through the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and innovative approaches in the field of disaster risk reduction, with a special focus on landslides.

Deputy Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ivica Bošnjak stated that no country can cope with the risks of natural disasters that have been affecting our region lately on its own.

He added that only together can we act to reduce risks and that it is best to act preventively to minimize the consequences.

Bošnjak particularly emphasized the importance of the local community in reducing disaster risks, with support from higher levels of government.

UN BiH Resident Coordinator Arnhild Spence stated that disaster risk reduction is part of development efforts, which means it must be continuous, and in that regard, the efforts of institutions are relevant.

She emphasized that if the social protection system does not adequately cover such situations, the consequences of disasters will be even worse.

Ambassador of Switzerland to BiH Gabriele Derighetti said that in decentralized countries like his, every level of government bears special responsibility in case of natural disasters, but at the same time, they must cooperate because it is a common challenge.