Bosnia and Herzegovina

In February 2012, severe winter weather—including extremely low temperatures, heavy snowfall, and strong winds—affected Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).  The winter emergency had resulted in eight deaths and left nearly 5,500 people in need of immediate emergency assistance as of February 10.  On February 4, authorities declared a state of natural disaster in all Federation of BiH municipalities and in 18 Republic of Srpska municipalities.  As of February 10, as many as 50,000 people were without electricity and heat in Mostar, the most affected municipality in the Federation of BiH.  Numerous municipalities throughout BiH remained inaccessible to relief efforts, and populations had limited access to electricity and water.  In response to the winter emergency, the Armed Forces of BiH and the E.U. Force conducted emergency evacuations and provided food and medicine to affected individuals.  Federal, Federation of BiH, and Republic of Srpska civil protection authorities also conducted relief efforts.

On February 10, 2012, U.S. Ambassador Patrick S. Moon declared a disaster due to the effects of the winter emergency.  In response, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) provided $50,000 to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Red Cross Society to distribute emergency relief commodities—including blankets and hygiene kits—and locally procure snowmobiles to reach populations in inaccessible areas.

USG HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED IN FY 2012

*(As of September 4, 2012)

EMCA DRR Fact Sheet #1 (1.01mb PDF) and map (522kb PDF)