Drvar, a small town in Western Bosnia and Herzegovina, continues to recover from the devastating floods that hit the region in October 2024. Torrential rains caused rivers and streams to overflow, flooding homes, roads, and farmland, leaving severe damage in their wake. Residents like Snježana Jankelić recall the disaster vividly, describing how her entire home was submerged and all her belongings destroyed.
Under the European Union’s Floods Recovery Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Drvar and its people are now receiving vital support. The EU-funded assistance includes the rehabilitation of flood-damaged homes, restoration of the municipal sewage system, and aid for farmers through agricultural equipment, greenhouses, and small machinery. Renovation work on Jankelić’s home includes waterproofing, replacement of carpentry, plumbing, sewage and electrical systems, and installation of new sanitary ware and tiles—restoring both safety and dignity for residents.
For local farmers like Snježana Zeljković, the EU’s support represents renewed hope. Her family lost agricultural land during the floods, but through the project, she received a new greenhouse and technical assistance to restart production. She plans to grow onions for her daughter’s fruit shop and take part in training sessions led by agricultural experts to improve her farming practices and income.
In addition to supporting individual families, the EU project is also addressing community infrastructure. Reconstruction of the town’s damaged sewage system, including a 350-meter pipeline and part of a mixed rainwater and sewage collector, is underway. This will reduce pollution risks, improve sanitation, and prevent future flooding, with the works valued at around BAM 100,000.
The €20 million EU-funded Floods Recovery Project is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). It aims to assist flood-affected communities across Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, the unemployed, and large households. Through housing rehabilitation, infrastructure reconstruction, and livelihood support, the initiative is helping rebuild lives and strengthen resilience in flood-affected areas.
