Support for flood-affected families: First vouchers distributed in Fojnica and Kiseljak

(Patria) - Federal Minister of Labour and Social Policy Adnan Delić, Secretary of the Red Cross of FBiH Daniel Tucić, and UNICEF Representative for BiH Mark Lucet today began distributing vouchers to families who suffered material damage to their homes during the October floods.

This aid, totaling 618,800 KM, will cover 694 families from the areas of Herzegovina-Neretva and Central Bosnia Cantons.

Families will receive vouchers ranging from 650 to 1,250 KM, depending on the number of household members. The minimum amount of 650 KM is intended for single-person households, while households with five members will receive 1,250 KM.

Families with two members will receive 800 KM each, with an additional 150 KM for each subsequent member.

Vouchers can be used at Bingo markets, either in their place of residence or throughout the Federation of BiH until the end of this year. The vouchers are in denominations of 50 and 100 KM and can be spent all at once or in multiple installments, according to the families' needs.

Minister Delić, along with representatives of UNICEF and the Red Cross, and in the presence of the mayors of these municipalities, visited several families in Fojnica and Kiseljak today, where the campaign officially began.

- Although the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy does not have funds allocated in its budget for such purposes, we have reallocated funds from one of the social protection programs to provide support to families who have suffered enormous losses.

Our goal is to show solidarity and provide concrete, even if symbolic, assistance, which we consider important for everyone, especially families with children, the elderly, and infirm individuals - stated Delić.

Marc Lucet, UNICEF Representative in BiH, emphasized that UNICEF also supports on-site psychosocial services, thereby ensuring families have access to the emotional and mental health care they need to overcome the traumas they have experienced.

- For the distribution of vouchers, a detailed post-distribution monitoring process will be carried out to assess satisfaction and ensure that support reaches those who need it most.

This will also help identify additional services that are crucial for the socio-economic recovery of families, creating a path for long-term resilience - said Lucet.

During the preparatory activities for the distribution of these vouchers, the Red Cross of FBiH, in cooperation with the civil protection of all five municipalities and cities, mapped 694 families with all relevant data about their households.

- For the first time, we have created a so-called human map of population mapping, which has provided us with a detailed overview of the needs of 694 families, or households, affected by the floods.

This map represents an extremely valuable database for all future projects and activities aimed at supporting the population in these areas.

It is particularly important for households where children, the elderly, or infirm individuals live, as it enables targeted and effective assistance precisely to those who need it most - emphasized Daniel Tucić, Secretary General of the Red Cross of FBiH.

The distribution of vouchers will continue in the coming days in the areas of Jablanica, Konjic, Fojnica, Kreševo, and Kiseljak.