In order to reduce disaster risks and improve community resilience, the Ambassador of Italy, Sarah Eti Castellani, together with representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and in partnership with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), officially handed over a donation worth 385,000 KM to civil protection units across Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The official handover ceremonies were held at the Federal Civil Protection Administration in Sarajevo and the Republic Civil Protection Administration in East Sarajevo, and the events were attended by representatives of civil protection units from Maglaj, Konjic, Čapljina, Zenica, Ljubuški, Tomislavgrad, Srebrenik, Doboj, Nevesinje and Prijedor, who took over the donated equipment.
The donated equipment was purchased in cooperation with the Federal and Republic Civil Protection Administrations, in accordance with the expressed needs of the beneficiary municipalities and cities.
It includes firefighting, climbing, radio communication equipment, flood rescue equipment, as well as equipment for coordination and management of camps (CCCM).
The project to strengthen local capacities for disaster response, with a total value of 1.3 million BAM, is financed by the Government of the Republic of Italy through AICS, with the implementation of IOM in 21 municipalities/cities across BiH (10 in FBiH, 10 in RS and Brčko District), thus building more resilient and safe communities.
The Ambassador of Italy to BiH, Sarah Eti Castellani, emphasized the importance of fostering international partnerships in strengthening disaster preparedness.
“Italy remains a reliable partner of Bosnia and Herzegovina in strengthening institutional capacities, improving community safety and supporting resilience at all levels. By investing in first responders, we are investing in the safety and resilience of communities across the country,” she said.
IOM Deputy Chief of Mission Michael J.F. O’Mahony highlighted the changes in the approach to disaster preparedness.
“Through these initiatives, IOM is shifting its focus from reactive response to systemic preparedness, investing in tools, skills and coordination before emergencies occur. This equipment is not just a donation, but part of a comprehensive approach that also includes training and coordination,” he said.
Majda Kovač from the Federal Civil Protection Administration, highlighted the importance of the project for local communities.
“The equipment is allocated according to the specific needs of the communities in which the project is implemented, strengthening resilience where it is most needed,” said Kovač.
Željko Janković from the Republic Civil Protection Administration, added that the donated equipment directly responds to the needs identified by municipalities and confirmed by the civil protection administrations.
Mario Bajto from the Civil and Fire Protection Service of the City of Ljubuški stressed that equipping local teams is key to improving community safety.
The project “Strengthening Local Capacity for Disaster Preparedness and Response” is being implemented in 21 local communities in both entities and the Brčko District, providing equipment, training, simulations and the development of contingency plans for civil protection.
All equipment is provided in coordination with the Federal and Republic Civil Protection Administrations according to identified needs.
The goal of the project, worth 1.3 million BAM, is to build safer and more resilient communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, IOM BiH announced.
