Balkan floods cost Bosnia over 26 million Euros

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina 

The worst floods to hit the Balkans in 120 years have cost Bosnia and Herzegovina 26.8mn euro (US$36.3mn) in damages, the country's transport minister told the Anadolu Agency on Tuesday.

Enver Bijedic said that the floods caused massive damage to the country's infrastructure, surpassing the government's budget.

So far, around 521,000 euros have been spent on emergency clear-up and repair work officials have said, adding that an additional 1.6 mn euro is required to finish the job.

Overall, more than EUR 20 mn is needed to repair highways, railways, underground cables, power poles and canals, according to analysts.

On May 28, the European Union announced an aid package worth 65 billion euro for Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia to help them cope with the aftermath of the disaster.

The EU Commission said the sum would be divided into two and the first part – worth 3 million euro – would be released immediately for communities worst-hit in both countries.

The rest of the aid would be made available by the end of June for longer-term relief and recovery.

The 28-member bloc said it would also dispatch funding for long-term reconstruction over the next six years, with the scope and amount to be decided in the coming weeks.

At least 76 people died in May's floods.

www.aa.com.tr/en