FBiH Government declares state of natural disaster: The system did not fail, but we will determine who was responsible for prevention

(Patria) - The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, after today's emergency session regarding the catastrophic floods that hit parts of the Federation of BiH, held an extraordinary press conference at the seat of the FBiH Government in Sarajevo.

A state of natural disaster caused by floods and landslides in the Federation of BiH was declared at the session.

FBiH Deputy Prime Minister Vojin Mijatović announced that there are 20 million KM in the sub-account for rescue, while additional funds will be allocated from the budget reserve as needed.

A Crisis Staff of the FBiH Government has been formed, which will coordinate all activities and will be in constant session.

BH Telecom will be asked to allocate 1.5 million KM to help the flooded areas.

Head of the Federal Civil Protection Administration Aldin Brašnić stated that a session was held at 12:00 PM, at which an order was issued for the engagement of the Civil Protection of Sarajevo Canton, which will send the necessary machinery to the area of Jablanica.

"The machinery of the Armed Forces of BiH with heavy equipment is already in the field, and the roads are mostly passable, although some places are still inaccessible. The number of flood victims in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton is currently 14, and a search for missing persons has been initiated, with the engagement of special units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs," he added.

He said that this is one of the most difficult situations that has affected the Federation of BiH since 2014.

"We are searching for the missing, and that is our priority. We have well-trained people, but the complicating factor is that there will be precipitation for the next two days, which hinders the rescue operation," said Brašnić.

Mijatović called on all citizens who are endangered to call the number 121 and ask for help.

"Municipalities are the first to react when it comes to rescue and operational measures. We asked them to carry out preventive measures. Our municipal civil protection services are quite poor when it comes to preventive measures, especially when a storm is already underway. I think the municipality has done as much as it could. Jablanica is a municipality that is not particularly wealthy, and cantons must always help. The system did not fail, but the system of previous years failed, which did not work to clean and maintain riverbeds, but we only remember it when such a situation arises," said Brašnić.

Mijatović said that it will be clearly determined whose responsibility prevention was.

"Human lives are our priority now," said Mijatović.