Pake: Use country's reconstruction for economic development and civil protection reform!

The reconstruction of the country after the catastrophic floods should be used to promote economic development, but also to reform the protection sector so that BiH has a more efficient system for combating natural disasters, stated Žan Erik Pake, Director for the Western Balkans at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, for the BiH news agency Patria (NAP).

Pake is visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina again these days, where he is working with experts on finalizing the assessment of damages, losses, and needs following the May floods in BiH.

- I was in Bosanski Šamac, and besides the need to urgently repair and rebuild houses, infrastructure, and other things, we must consider economic development. Local authorities want to be able to tell potential investors that such floods will not happen again and that we have an effective protection system - says Pake.

According to him, the final version of the document should be ready by July 16, when an international donor conference will be held in Brussels. It will also contain recommendations for BiH authorities on what to do to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again.

Pake says there is still no estimate of how much money our country might receive from international donors, but he emphasizes that work is still underway to finalize the amount of damages and losses in BiH. Initial estimates spoke of nearly two billion euros. 

- The assessment will be completed soon and will be the basis for the donor conference on July 16. But, it is very important that the authorities in BiH create a strategy for preventing similar disasters. This is the largest part of the needs assessment for BiH after these floods. This is a key priority, and we are ready to help with it, hence we will provide our recommendations - says Pake.

According to him, BiH has a chance to join the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism (ECHO), even though it is not an EU member, in order to form a more effective prevention system.

- Certain reforms will be needed for that. But, this process must not slow down or postpone reconstruction and recovery activities. People affected by this catastrophe must not wait, and much needs to be done before winter. I also welcome the activities of domestic authorities in establishing solidarity funds and self-contributions. It is very important that the country also uses its potential in this regard - adds Pake.

Speaking about the final assessment of the damage amount, Pake dismissed reports of political concessions during talks with entity authorities, but said that figures are still being finalized.

- The methodology used is recognized worldwide, and there will be adjustments as information comes in from the field - Pake told the Patria agency.