Handover of protection and rescue equipment procured through the project titled „Emergency Response Now-ERNOW” took place on 25 January 2018 in Brčko. The project is funded by the EU and implemented by the Goverment of Brčko District of BiH together with Brod Municipality and partners from the Republic of Serbia: Šid and Sremska Mitrovica.
As part of this project, the civil protection of Brčko District BiH became equipped with two field vehicles, three high capacity pumps, two trash pumps, uniforms, aluminium and rubber boats, as well as necessary equipment.
Acting Head of Operations Section for Social Development, Civil Society and Cross Border Co-operation of Delegation of European Union to BiH Gianluca Vannini, handed over the keys of equipment to Mayor of BiH Brčko District Siniša Milić and Mayor of Brod Municipality Ilija Jovičić, stressing out importance of the cross border cooperation. “Assistance like this provide added value to all partners as they are implemented on cross-border level and thus strengthen the social and economic cohesion of the neighbouring areas. It makes the opportunity to strengthen the established cross-border partnerships, create new networks and address effectively our common concerns“, said Vannini.
Mayor of Brčko District BiH Siniša Milić stated that the main goal of this project was to capacitate emergency response services for quicker response in cases of natural disasters with aim to protect people and property. “Experience that we have exchanged in the cooperation with other local communities is also very valuable. We have showed that we are capable of working on projects like these, and Brčko District BiH is in the phase of establishing unit which will work on EU projects in the future”, said Mayor Milić.
During the ceremony Mayor Milić handed over a certificate of appreciation for Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina and EU Special Representative in BiH Ambassador Lars Gunar Wigemark, which was received by M Vannini. A certificate of appreciation for joint cooperation was also handed over to Mayor of Brod Municipality Ilija Jovičić, Mayor of Sremska Mitrovica Vladimir Sanader and President of Šid Municipality Predrag Vuković.
A joint exercise of Protection and Rescue Unit of Brčko District of BiH and Civil Protection Unit of Brod Municipality was held during the handover ceremony using equipment procured within this project.
Project implementation includes exchange of experience, joint training and capacity building in sectors involved in the process of protection and rescue in case of floods and other natural hazards, as well as procurement of necessary equipment which was presented at the handover ceremony, such as: truck, backhoe loader, field vehicles, high capacity pumps, trash pumps, rubber and aluminium boats with belonging equipment, uniforms, diving suits, drone, handheld radio stations, GPS, computer equipment and projectors.
Financial value of project „Emergency response now – ERNOW“ Cross Border Cooperation Programme Serbia-Bosnia and Herzegovina within the IPA programme 2007-2013 is around 1,160.000 EUR, out of which 556,000 EUR relates to partners from Republic Serbia, while for BiH the amount is 604.000 EUR, in percentages, approx.84% of project value is grant financed by the European Union, while the remaining funds are co-financed by the partners.
