1,532 homes renovated, work ongoing on 122 facilities

The EU Flood Recovery Programme had achieved key results in flood-affected areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina by April 15, 2015, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

1,532 homes have been renovated, and work is ongoing on the rehabilitation of 122 facilities. 91 public facilities have been rehabilitated, and work is ongoing on 27 public facilities.
54 communal infrastructure facilities have been rehabilitated, and work on 50 facilities is ongoing.
Disbursements of grants for all 56 selected small and medium-sized enterprises have been completed (in a total amount of EUR 1.47 million), which will help retain and generate over 1,800 jobs.

The data entry process for the first public call for the agriculture recovery component has been finalized, and the user selection process is underway. The second public call for agricultural recovery closed on April 10.

These data were presented at a meeting of the Advisory Panel, established in October 2014 to ensure maximum synergy in flood recovery activities between the European Union and domestic authorities at all levels, and also serves as a forum for exchanging information on ongoing and planned flood recovery activities.

- We are very pleased with the visible results on the ground that the EU Flood Recovery Programme continues to achieve, benefiting flood-affected communities, and we attach great importance to coordination and cooperation with domestic authorities, with the aim of ensuring that as many people as possible receive the help they deserve. At the meeting, we discussed the importance of maintaining and expanding our joint efforts to help those whose homes were damaged or destroyed in floods and landslides. A key tool for providing this additional assistance, along with financing vital flood protection measures, is the EU's second flood recovery aid package worth EUR 41 million.

These funds will be available to Bosnia and Herzegovina once the relevant domestic authorities ratify the relevant Framework Agreement. We welcome the progress made with the Council of Ministers' decision this week, and we expect the process to be completed quickly in order to mobilize the funds - stated Melvin Asin, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to BiH, after the meeting.

- We are satisfied with the progress of the Programme we are implementing, and with the fact that we have helped more than 1,500 families return to their homes so far. The assessment of flood and landslide damage in the housing sector, which we are currently conducting within the EU Flood Recovery Programme, is in line with our efforts to act from two angles – to help in post-flood recovery in affected areas, but also to help this country turn towards sustainable development through risk reduction and resilience building - said Zahira Virani, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in BiH.