An Australian diplomat based in Vienna, where the Australian Embassy to Bosnia and Herzegovina is located, has visited Bosnia and Herzegovina on 5 and 6 June to learn firsthand of the extensive damage caused by recent floods.
Mr Vafa Ghazavi met with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the United Nations, among others, to receive briefings on the situation across the country and on the recovery effort currently underway.
He also visited some flood-affected areas.
“There has been a great deal of concern in Australia over the tragic loss of life due to these floods and the damage they have caused,” Mr Ghazavi said.
On 26 May, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, expressed the “heartfelt concern of the Australian Government for the people of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia affected by recent devastating floods.” “The thoughts of all Australians are with affected communities”, she said.
Australia is a top ten donor to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which releases humanitarian assistance quickly during disasters. Australia’s contribution to the IFRC Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) has assisted the swift provision of humanitarian assistance to affected regions.
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