The damage caused by disasters are continuously increasing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and population is facing small-scale disasters on a daily basis. In order to prevent and protect lives, property and infrastructure, the representatives of seven Local Self-government Units, Ministry of Security of BiH, Directorate for Civil Protection of FBiH, Directorate of Civil Protection of RS, Ambassador of Republic of Italy to BiH and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative have signed a Declaration od Disaster Risk Reduction.

Signing of the Declaration marks the beginning of implementation of activities within the project “Interlinking Disaster Risk Management” (IDRM) in Brcko District BiH, Doboj, Laktasi, Lukavac, Maglaj, Tuzla and Zvornik. The project cost is 300,000.00 EUR, it is financed by Italian Development Cooperation Agency and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

On this occasion the Ambassador of Italy to BiH Nicola Minasi stated that the IDRM project will improve safety for 460,000.00 citizens that live in these seven local units. “The exchange of information that will take place in the framework of this project between different levels of government and between municipalities as well, is also very important, while the Civil Protection Units in the country will come closer to European standards, which will help Bosnia and Herzegovina come closer to the EU in this sense.”

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedov emphasized that traditionally we deal with disasters only after they happen, but it is much more cost effective to deal with disaster in a form of prevention.

Mr. Khoshmukhamedov added that DRAS – Disaster Risk Analysis System will be developed for five municipalities under this project. This system enables local communities to obtain information on disasters before they occur, to determine areas prone to disaster risks such as floods, landslides, earthquakes or mine fields. Currently the DRAS platform is available for the citizens of Tuzla and Doboj.

Key activities of IDRM project are developing strategic capacities assessment and action plans, improving legislative framework on civil protection for entity level, and improving Disaster Risk Management.

Mr. Idriz Brković Chief of Sector for Strategic Planning, Protection and Rescue under the Ministry of Security BiH said, “It is our goal to become a member of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which means we have to make additional efforts in this area”.

Assistant Director of Directorate for Civil Protection of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Enisa Bajrovic said that a cornerstone for this matter is to enact a new Law on System for Protection and Rescue  in the Civil Protection, that should be harmonized with the legal acquis of the EU, which would solve the issue of weaknesses of the current system for protection and rescue.

Mayor of Municipality of Laktasi Ranko Karapetrovic emphasized the importance for his municipality to take part in this project. “In 2014 we faced huge problems with floods, and we still have problems with floods on yearly basis. Big problem are illegally built houses and structures, especially when built on the spots where they should have not been built at all” said Karapetrovic. With implementation of this project, the municipality officials will be able to inform citizens about localities that must not be used for building houses and other structures.

Mayor of Tuzla Jasmin Imamovic mentioned that Department for Disaster Risk Management was established within the Civil Protection Unit of Tuzla Municipality, and a team of geologists helps other municipalities as well. Therefore, it is important to connect with other municipalities, but also to inform citizens about areas prone to disasters. In 2014, 135 houses were hit by landslides, with only one having the construction permit. Citizens must be informed about the land they purchase and what is the soil texture on which they plan to build their homes.