Significant support from the European Union for Drvar's recovery from floods

Drvar, a small town in Western Bosnia and Herzegovina, remembers last October for the heavy rainfall that caused rivers and streams to overflow, flooding roads, homes and agricultural land, and causing great damage to its inhabitants. 

“Everything was under water. We have never had such floods,” says Snježana Jankelić from Drvar. Not far from her, 69-year-old Milorad shows the level of the water on the facade of his house. “Three and a half rows of bricks from below,” he says. 

Through the EU project to support floods recovery in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Drvar and its residents will receive important assistance from the European Union, which includes the rehabilitation of flood-damaged houses, and the municipal sewage network, as well as support for farmers through packages with greenhouses, beekeeping equipment or small machinery. 

Renovation work is underway in the one-story house of 68-year-old Snježana Jankelić. The torrential water that entered her home severely damaged the building and destroyed all the furniture. Through the EU project, new ceramic tiles and sanitary ware will be installed in Snježana's house, the external and internal carpentry will be replaced, the necessary waterproofing will be carried out, and the plumbing, sewage and electrical installations will be changed. 

"The help means a lot to me. I live in this house; I gave birth to my children there. I am really satisfied," says Snježana.

Snježana Zeljković carefully monitors workers installing a new greenhouse on the land behind her house. Snježana lives with her husband Branko and is involved in agriculture. 

In last year's floods, this family suffered damage to their agricultural land, so they applied for the EU project’s Public Call for Proposals to support agricultural producers. Since she met the conditions, Snježana received a new greenhouse, and she has already bought onions that she plans to plant in it. 

"My daughter has a fruit shop in town, and everything I produce, I will sell there," explains Snježana. "We have a lot of expenses. We are working hard. This greenhouse will not only make things easier for us but will really be of great help."

In addition to the greenhouse, Snježana will participate in lectures on topics related to agriculture, and she will be visited by experts who will provide her with individual advice. In this way, Snježana will be able to learn about the latest practices and thus improve her production.

During the floods in October 2024, the sewage system in Drvar was damaged, and every time it rained, the water spilled onto the main street. 

Through the EU project, the reconstruction of the sewage pipeline, about 350 meters long, will be carried out, as well as the rehabilitation of part of the mixed collector for rainwater and sewage. This will improve the functioning of the sewage system, reduce the risk of pollution and future floods, as well as ensure better hygienic and eco conditions for the residents of this area. The estimated value of the works is BAM 100,000.

EU support to floods recovery in Bosnia and Herzegovina project, worth 20 million euros, is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The project is designed to respond to the needs of the population in communities directly affected by the natural disaster in October 2024, with a special focus on socially and economically vulnerable populations, multi-member households, the unemployed, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups. 

The project envisages the rehabilitation and construction of housing units, reconstruction of public institutions and local infrastructure, as well as support to agricultural producers and small and medium-sized enterprises in the restoration of their businesses.