Council of Ministers of BiH Adopts Flood Protection Plan Worth Over 590 Million KM

The Council of Ministers of BiH, upon the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, adopted the Action Plan for Flood Protection and River Management in BiH 2014 – 2017, which creates a framework for addressing flood protection and water management issues in a coordinated and harmonized manner both in BiH and at the regional level, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

Following the floods in May and August 2014, it was necessary to take further steps to prevent such occurrences and protect the population.

- The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, in cooperation with other competent institutions at all levels of government in BiH and within their legally prescribed jurisdictions, will coordinate the implementation of measures defined by the Action Plan, and will inform the Council of Ministers of BiH about it once a year. State Ministries of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations; Security; Civil Affairs; Finance and Treasury, and the Directorate for European Integration will cooperate closely for the more efficient implementation of the Action Plan.

The Action Plan includes six key measures and 22 sub-measures that competent institutions will implement by the end of 2017. The package of measures includes, among other things, repairing flood, erosion, and torrent damage to existing water protection facilities, riverbeds, and canals; harmonizing the flood protection system with the relevant EU directive; developing technical solutions for flood protection; establishing a hydrological forecasting system in BiH; strengthening the capacities of institutions in BiH in this area; and water management.

The implementation of the Action Plan requires 592.7 million KM, and 267.2 million KM has been secured so far from loans, grants, and budget funds. Several projects are currently in the preparation phase, which will secure an additional 100 million KM.