BiH activates EU Civil Protection Mechanism to evacuate citizens from the Middle East

According to the statement, the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is coordinating support to ensure the safe return of Bosnian citizens.

“Repatriation flights have already begun,” the EU Delegation said.

Last week, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina formally requested assistance from the European Union to evacuate its nationals from the Middle East through the Civil Protection Mechanism.

To implement the decision, adopted during an emergency telephone session at the proposal of the Ministry of Security, the government allocated 800,000 convertible marks (approximately €400,000).

Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in September 2022.

Full participation in the mechanism is expected to strengthen Europe’s regional preparedness for emergencies and improve capacities for rescue and disaster response.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism is activated when an emergency exceeds the response capacities of a single country in Europe or beyond. In such situations, the affected country can request assistance through the system, while the European Commission plays a central role in coordinating the international response.

Since its establishment in 2001, the mechanism has responded to nearly 600 requests for assistance both within the EU and globally.

The joint framework allows participating countries to pool expertise and emergency response resources, avoid duplication of efforts and ensure that assistance is tailored to the needs of those affected.

By combining civil protection capacities across Europe, the mechanism enables a stronger and more coordinated collective response to crises. It also supports cooperation between national authorities in disaster preparedness and prevention, facilitates the exchange of best practices and contributes to the development of common operational standards for emergency response teams.