The European Union has sent teams of rescuers and supplies to Bosnia and Herzegovina following Sarajevo's official request to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM) after central parts of the country were devastated by flash floods last week.

Teams of rescuers from EU member states have been engaged and emergency supplies have bee dispatched. Last weekend, search and rescue teams from Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Serbia arrived at the scenes.

So far, 15 people have been declared dead in Jablanica, northern Herzegovina. Another 10-15 casualties are still unaccounted for after downpours apparently triggered a landslide from a quarry above the village of Donja Jablanica burying houses in the night between last Thursday and Friday.

When the EUCPM is activated, the European Emergency Response Centre (ERCC) plays a key role in coordinating the disaster response, contributing to at least 75% of the transport and/or operational costs of deployments, irrespective of whether a country is a member of the EU or not.

A total of 12 countries have offered assistance through the EUCPM.

Equipment for temporary accommodation has been sent by Albania, Hungary, Montenegro, Romania and Turkey.

Bosnia and Herzegovina became a full member of the EUCPM in September 2022. This is the first time that Bosnia and Herzegovina has requested assistance through the EUCPM.

The EU is also providing high-quality satellite images through its Copernicus satellite system in order to assist the local authorities in assessing the damage caused by the floods.

The EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič expressed gratitude for the numerous offers of assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Over the past days, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been battling devastating floods. But their first responders are not facing this deadly disaster alone. Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, 12 countries have offered to send emergency assistance. Search and rescue teams from Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Serbia are already on the ground, supporting the local crisis response. I thank all the countries that have stepped up to support Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a strong expression of EU solidarity in a time of great need,” said the commissioner.