Sister City Johnstown Establishes Fund to Aid Brčko

Officials from the American city of Johnstown in the state of Pennsylvania have decided to help their sister city Brčko, which suffered from devastating floods that affected a large part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, announced American television station Fox8, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

The connection between these two cities dates back to the visit of former congressman John Murtha to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Brčko in 1997, when he saw how many similarities existed between the cities 5000 miles apart, and decided to officially connect them to support each other in difficult times.

What also connects these two cities now is the flood disaster that hit Johnstown in 1889, 1936, and 1977.

The establishment of the fund to help Brčko was initiated by former city councilman Brian Subich, who also visited Brčko during his term as councilman.

- Brčko is currently going through a difficult situation, many people have been evacuated. Johnstown knows exactly what that is like. I myself experienced a flood and evacuation and I know that people helped us. For me, a sister city means being there for them and helping them when needed – said Subich.

Police Sergeant Scott Haymaker joined Subich in this initiative, and they received support from other communities as well. Haymaker spent 18 months in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2002 and 2003, and in 2012 and 2013 as part of the NATO staff in Sarajevo.
 
- If I compare 2003 and 2013, progress can be seen in infrastructure, economy, and culture after the war. I fear that this will now set back that progress – said Haymaker.

All donations will be tax-exempt and will be accepted until the end of June, and will be sent to Brčko to help with its reconstruction after the floods, reports Patria.