Rescuers from BiH return to Sarajevo after weeks of assistance in Slovenia

(Patria) - A convoy consisting of material-technical and human resources of the Sarajevo Canton Protection and Rescue Services, who provided assistance to the Republic of Slovenia in the aftermath of devastating floods, returned to Sarajevo last night.

As stated by the Director of the Sarajevo Canton Civil Protection Administration, Dženan Brkanić, Sarajevo rescuers were dispatched to the affected areas through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, where Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a member of the Mechanism, immediately made itself available.

Out of a total of six vehicles sent to Slovenia, four belong to the Sarajevo Canton Civil Protection Administration, and two to the Civil Protection of Republika Srpska.

"Our services spent 15 days in the field, from August 12, where they did an excellent job in clearing and rehabilitating the terrain. Everything went smoothly, and I must emphasize that I am proud of our guys who were welcomed with enthusiasm in Slovenia," said Director Brkanić.

The Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk, also attended the welcome of the rescuers from our country, stating that this was the first action of its kind for BiH.

"For the first time, a coordination mechanism at the BiH level is being established, and for the first time, a rescue mission of this kind has been successfully completed. They are very satisfied in Slovenia, and we have received thanks from all sides," said Prime Minister Uk.

Acting Director of the Federal Civil Protection Administration, Murat Baručija, stated that everything went smoothly, and the most important thing is that the EU Mechanism procedure was followed, which is particularly important given that BiH is not a member of the European Union.

"The Council of Ministers of BiH reacted quickly. I must praise the fact that rescuers from the Federation of BiH and Republika Srpska went together for the first time, and it was a joint mission. We are the youngest country in the Mechanism, and we managed to do a good job. We joined the Mechanism on January 1st and have already had our first intervention," said Baručija.