EU Recovery Programme: 1,000 housing units to be rebuilt by end of year

The EU Flood Recovery Programme was launched in August 2014 with a total value of €43.52 million, of which the EU contribution amounts to €42.24 million. The programme is focused on the rehabilitation of 4,221 facilities, including 4,000 housing units, 90 schools and preschools, 3 municipal administration buildings, 4 health centres..., reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Public institutions

As of 8 December, the EU has rebuilt 54 institutions, benefiting 25,000 students. Works are ongoing at 32 facilities, and by the end of the year, rehabilitation works on 90 facilities are planned to be completed. It is anticipated that the programme will exceed the target number of 101 rebuilt public institutions damaged by floods by an additional 17 public institutions. Furniture and teaching supplies have also been provided for schools and kindergartens damaged by the floods.

Housing units

The rehabilitation of the first 411 housing units for the most vulnerable categories has been completed in the first phase of the housing component (emergency housing support), and rehabilitation of 419 housing units is underway. Approximately 2,000 people have returned to their homes. By the end of 2014, the rehabilitation of 1,000 facilities in total is planned.

Economic recovery

56 enterprises have been selected to receive assistance. The total amount of funds for assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises is €1.43 million. Support is being provided to 700 agricultural households in restoring their production capacities, and at least 500 agricultural households will be integrated into local and regional value chains to increase their income and sustainability.

Communal infrastructure

Through the programme, 100 public roads and bridges will be reconstructed, as well as 10 water supply facilities at 50 locations. So far, 18 infrastructure projects (bridges, water supply facilities and roads) have been completed, 38 are currently underway, and an additional 18 are planned. At least 30 roads and bridges will be completed by 31 December.

The EU Recovery Programme consists of several components aimed at providing assistance in the rehabilitation of areas affected by floods, including:

- emergency reconstruction of vital public sector infrastructure and re-establishment of key public services in the public sector;
- emergency reconstruction of housing units for the most vulnerable and marginalised categories;
- revitalisation of the local economy and agricultural production;
- and rehabilitation of communal infrastructure in selected affected communities.

The EU Flood Recovery Programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).