The European Union donated 15 off-road vehicles to Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Centre (BHMAC) today in Sarajevo. These vehicles will support the safe transport of demining teams and equipment to remote and hard-to-reach mine-suspected areas, enabling more efficient demining operations on the ground. The vehicles are procured under the larger EU funded Mine Action project, worth over 10 million euros to finance the clearance of the remaining mine-contaminated areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In addition to the off-road vehicles, the European Union is also providing uniforms and other essential equipment to support BHMAC. Furthermore, 2 vehicles will be supplied for the Federal Administration of Civil Protection of FBiH and 2 vehicles for the Civil Protection of Republika Srpska.
Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina Adebayo Babajide handed over the vehicles to BHMAC Director Enis Horozović, underlying that this purchase is just one part of the EU’s comprehensive support to mine action in BiH. The event was attended also by the Chair of the Demining Commission and Advisor to the Minister of Civil Affairs of BiH Mijo Pranjić as well as deminers, inspectors and other BH MAC employees.
“The European Union is fully committed to supporting the objective of a mine-free Bosnia and Herzegovina. To this end, we have provided over €50 million in grants to clear landmines, assist survivors and build local capacities, including today’s handover of 15 new off-road vehicles to the BiH Mine Action Centre. These vehicles will contribute to safe and efficient transport of demining teams to remote areas, contributing to greater security and stability in the country”, said Babajide.
Currently, around 1.6% of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s territory is still affected by landmines. The European Union continuously supports Bosnia and Herzegovina’s mine action through funding, capacity building and close cooperation with EUFOR, which provides essential mentoring and mine risk education. Such support is in line with the BiH Mine Action Strategy 2025-2027 and is vital for protecting the citizens and improving Bosnia and Herzegovina’s economic development.
The new off-road vehicles present an additional tool for the BiH Mine Action Centre to carry out effective mine clearance, in particular in the remote areas. “So far, we have had major problems with our vehicles- we had 59 vehicles in poor condition, with high mileage and 15 years or more old. Thanks to this donation, our offices will be able to continue to carry out their duties and go out into the field in difficult-to-reach areas such as Majevica, Vlašić, Jahorina, Kupres plateau, Prenj… Our cooperation with the European Union, as well as with the EUFOR mission, is excellent and we are very grateful for this partnership. Over the next 3.5 years, thanks to EU demining funds, 42 large demining projects covering an area of 70 km2 will be implemented,” stated Director Horozović.
Chair of the Demining Commission and Advisor to the Minister of Civil Affairs of BiH Mijo Pranjić higlighted that this donation supports the demining efforts in the country, which is a common goal. “The new EU project worth 10 million euros is a clear and unambiguous indicator of how important and indispensable the EU is in the demining process in BiH. We need to intensify activities at all levels of government and for everyone to be actively involved in order to allocate significant funds for this sector to show goodwill and financial support which would go in line with the support we receive from the international community,“ said Pranjić.
Improved capacities, procurement of essential equipment and strengthening of cooperation amongst stakeholders across the country remains a vital step in ensuring safety, enabling economic recovery and allowing local communities to reclaim their land.
