“Our hearts and thoughts are with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, hit by devastating floods. We have activated our EU Civil Protection Mechanism and are sending rescue teams on the ground. This is EU solidarity in action,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, ensuring the close presence of the EU to help the Bosnia and Herzegovina people overcome the trying times that emerged after catastrophic floods and landslides hit the country on 4 October, claiming 22 lives and leaving many missing.
Catastrophic floods and landslides hit Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this year, claiming 22 lives and leaving many missing. Events like this require a quick and coordinated response, both to help people in need and to manage the disaster. The European Union responded quickly by activating its Civil Protection Mechanism. Search and rescue teams were deployed, and the EU’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) provided satellite data to assist local authorities. These efforts helped restore vital infrastructure and support affected communities, which assisted local authorities to manage the disaster and restore vital infrastructure. Flash floods and landslides devastated regions around Jablanica and Konjic, homes were buried, roads and railways were destroyed, and entire communities were left isolated.
The EU’s commitment to be there for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina was further reinforced by Janez Lenarčič, who said, “Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first responders are not facing this deadly disaster alone. Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, 12 countries have offered to send emergency assistance. Search and rescue teams from Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Serbia are already on the ground, supporting the local crisis response. This is a strong expression of EU solidarity in a time of great need,”. Teams from these countries arrived by 5 October to search for missing persons, remove debris, and restore critical infrastructure. Additionally, emergency supplies such as shelter materials were sent by Albania, Hungary, Romania, Montenegro, and Türkiye to help displaced families. Additionally, the EU coordinated the delivery of emergency supplies, including shelter materials from Albania, Hungary, Romania, Montenegro, and Türkiye, to support displaced families.
The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) played a key role in responding to the disaster. It provided satellite images to assess the damage, map flooded areas, and identify the most severely affected regions. This data allowed rescue teams prioritise their efforts and reach isolated communities more effectively. The Copernicus EMS had also been activated earlier in the summer to assist during the widespread wildfires in Albania and North Macedonia, once again demonstrating its critical role in managing natural disasters across the Western Balkans.
As the flood response continued, high-quality satellite images and damage assessments were regularly provided, helping guide the rescue efforts on the ground. The EU’s coordinated action, through both its Civil Protection Mechanism and the Copernicus EMS, demonstrated its unwavering commitment to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in a time of crisis. By 11 October, after several days of continuous rescue and recovery work, the emergency satellite services were concluded, marking the end of the EU’s immediate response phase.
The EU’s commitment to be there for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina was further reinforced by Janez Lenarčič, who said, “Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first responders are not facing this deadly disaster alone. Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, 12 countries have offered to send emergency assistance. Search and rescue teams from Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Serbia are already on the ground, supporting the local crisis response. This is a strong expression of EU solidarity in a time of great need,”. Teams from these countries arrived by 5 October to search for missing persons, remove debris, and restore critical infrastructure. Additionally, emergency supplies such as shelter materials were sent by Albania, Hungary, Romania, Montenegro, and Türkiye to help displaced families. Additionally, the EU coordinated the delivery of emergency supplies, including shelter materials from Albania, Hungary, Romania, Montenegro, and Türkiye, to support displaced families.
The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) played a key role in responding to the disaster. It provided satellite images to assess the damage, map flooded areas, and identify the most severely affected regions. This data allowed rescue teams prioritise their efforts and reach isolated communities more effectively. The Copernicus EMS had also been activated earlier in the summer to assist during the widespread wildfires in Albania and North Macedonia, once again demonstrating its critical role in managing natural disasters across the Western Balkans.
As the flood response continued, high-quality satellite images and damage assessments were regularly provided, helping guide the rescue efforts on the ground. The EU’s coordinated action, through both its Civil Protection Mechanism and the Copernicus EMS, demonstrated its unwavering commitment to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in a time of crisis. By 11 October, after several days of continuous rescue and recovery work, the emergency satellite services were concluded, marking the end of the EU’s immediate response phase.
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