Sarajevo, 24. mart 2026. – U značajnom koraku ka jačanju smanjenja rizika od katastrofa i unaprjeđenju otpornosti zajednica, ambasadorica Italije, NJ.E. Sarah Eti Castellani, zajedno sa predstavnicima Međunarodne organizacije za migracije (IOM) i u partnerstvu sa Talijanskom agencijom za razvojnu saradnju (AICS), zvanično je predala donaciju u vrijednosti od 385.000 KM jedinicama civilne zaštite širom Bosne i Hercegovine. Zvanične ceremonije primopredaje održane su u Federalnoj upravi civilne zaštite u Sarajevu i Republičkoj upravi civilne zaštite u Istočnom Sarajevu, a događajima su prisustvovali predstavnici jedinica civilne zaštite iz Maglaja, Konjica, Čapljine, Zenice, Ljubuškog, Tomislavgrada, Srebrenika, Doboja, Nevesinja i Prijedora, koji su preuzeli doniranu opremu.
Donirana oprema nabavljena je u saradnji s Federalnom i Republičkom upravom civilne zaštite, u skladu s iskazanim potrebama korisničkih općina/opština i gradova. Obuhvata vatrogasnu, penjačku, radiokomunikacijsku opremu, opremu za spašavanje od poplava, kao i opremu za koordinaciju i upravljanje kampovima (CCCM). Projekat jačanja lokalnih kapaciteta za odgovor na katastrofe, ukupne vrijednosti 1,3 miliona KM, finansira Vlada Republike Italije putem AICS-a, uz implementaciju IOM-a u 21 općini/gradu širom BiH (10 u FBiH, 10 u RS-u te Brčko distrikt), čime se grade otpornije i sigurnije zajednice.
Ambasadorica Italije u BiH, NJ.E. Sarah Eti Castellani, naglasila je važnost njegovanja međunarodnog partnerstva u jačanju pripravnosti na katastrofe: “Italija ostaje pouzdan partner Bosne i Hercegovine u jačanju institucionalnih kapaciteta, unaprjeđenju sigurnosti zajednica i podršci otpornosti na svim nivoima. Ulažući u prve interventne službe, ulažemo u sigurnost i otpornost zajednica širom zemlje. Uvjereni smo da će donirana oprema biti korištena efikasno i odgovorno, doprinoseći boljoj pripremi i odgovoru na katastrofe u cijeloj BiH.”
Zamjenik šefa misije IOM-a, Michael J.F. O’Mahony, istakao je promjene u pristupu pripremi za katastrofe: “Katastrofe su sve učestalije i složenije, pa i pripremljenost mora evoluirati. Kroz ove inicijative, IOM premješta fokus sa reaktivnog odgovora na sistemsku pripremljenost, ulažući u alate, vještine i koordinaciju prije nego što dođe do hitnih situacija. Ova oprema nije samo donacija, već dio cjelovitog pristupa koji uključuje i obuku i koordinaciju. Duboko smo zahvalni Vladi Italije i našim lokalnim partnerima, s kojima dijelimo zajednički cilj – jačanje otpornosti zajednica kroz izgradnju kapaciteta za pravovremen i koordiniran odgovor na katastrofe.”
Majda Kovač iz Federalne uprave civilne zaštite, osvrnula se na značaj projekta za lokalne zajednice: “Iskreno zahvaljujemo našim talijanskim partnerima što su daju prioritet stvarnim potrebama na terenu i usko sarađuju s jedinicama lokalne civilne zaštite – oprema se dodjeljuje prema specifičnim potrebama zajednica u kojima se implementira projekat, jačajući otpornost tamo gdje je to najpotrebnije.”
Željko Janković iz Republičke uprave civilne zaštite, dodao je: “Donirana oprema direktno odgovara na potrebe koje su identificirale opštine i potvrdile uprave civilne zaštite. Ovakav pristup saradnji osigurava da pomoć bude praktična, relevantna i odmah korisna u hitnim slučajevima. Ponosni smo na ovo snažno partnerstvo i smatramo ga modelom za buduće inicijative.”
Mario Bajto iz Službe za civilno-protupožarnu zaštitu Grada Ljubuškog zahvalio se u ime direktnih primatelja donacija, lokalnih civilnih zaštita kao prvih interventnih službi, te istakao da je opremljanje lokalnih timova je ključno za unaprjeđenje sigurnosti zajednice.
Projekat „Jačanje lokalnih kapaciteta za pripremu i odgovor na katastrofe“ implementira se u 21 lokalnoj zajednici u oba entiteta i Brčko distriktu, osiguravajući opremu, obuke, simulacije i izradu planova kontingencije za civilnu zaštitu. IOM, AICS i Ambasada Italije još jednom su potvrdili zajedničku posvećenost nastavku saradnje i jačanju dugoročne otpornosti zajednica. Sva oprema osigurana je u koordinaciji sa Federalnom i Republičkom upravom civilne zaštite prema identificiranim potrebama. Cilj projekta vrijednog 1,3 miliona KM, je izgradnja sigurnijih i otpornijih zajednica u Bosni i Hercegovini.
For more information, please contact:
Majda Balić, IOM,
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Italy Donates 385,000 KM in Equipment to Civil Protection to Enhance Disaster Preparedness in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo, 24 March 2026 – In a significant step towards strengthening disaster risk reduction and enhancing community resilience, the Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Sarah Eti Castellani, along with representatives from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and in partnership with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), has officially handed over equipment valued at 385,000 KM to civil protection units throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. The official handover ceremonies were held at the Federal Administration of Civil Protection in Sarajevo and the Republic Administration of Civil Protection in Istočno Sarajevo. Representatives from the civil protection units of Maglaj, Konjic, Čapljina, Zenica, Ljubuški, Tomislavgrad, Srebrenik, Doboj, Nevesinje, and Prijedor, all recipients of the new equipment, attended the events.
Funded by the Government of Italy through AICS, this donation is a key part of the broader initiative, “Strengthening Local Capacities for Disaster Preparedness and Response.” The 1.3 million KM project aims to support 21 municipalities within the country, with a focus on building safer and more resilient communities. The equipment includes firefighting, mountaineering, and radio-communication tools, as well as flood rescue equipment and camp coordination kits.
Ambassador of Italy to Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Sarah Eti Castellani, emphasized the importance of international partnership: “Italy remains a steadfast partner of Bosnia and Herzegovina in strengthening institutional capacities, enhancing community safety, and supporting resilience at all levels. By investing in first responders, we invest in the safety and resilience of communities across the country. We are confident that the equipment delivered today will be used effectively and responsibly, contributing to a safer and more resilient Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
On behalf of IOM, Deputy Chief of Mission, Michael J.F. O'Mahony, highlighted the evolving nature of disaster preparedness: “Disasters are becoming more frequent and complex, so preparedness must evolve as well. Through initiatives like this, IOM shifts the focus from reactive response to systemic preparedness by investing in tools, skills, and coordination before emergencies occur. This equipment is more than just a donation: it is part of a comprehensive approach that includes training and coordination. We are deeply grateful to the Italian Government and our local partners, with whom we share the goal of reinforcing community resilience by building capacity for timely and coordinated disaster response.”
Majda Kovač, representing the Federal Administration of Civil Protection, noted the impact at the municipal level: “We sincerely thank our Italian partners for prioritizing our real needs and collaborating closely with local civil protection units – the equipment is allocated based on the specific needs of local communities, strengthening resilience where it is most needed.”
Željko Janković, representing the Republic Administration of Civil Protection, added: “The equipment distributed today directly addresses needs identified by municipalities and validated by civil protection administrations. This collaborative approach ensures that the support is practical, relevant, and immediately useful during emergencies. We are proud of the strong partnership demonstrated here and see it as a model for future initiatives.”
Mario Bajto, from the Civil Protection and Firefighting Service of the City of Ljubuški, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the direct recipients of the donations, namely, the local civil protection units as first response services – and emphasized that equipping local teams is crucial for improving community safety.
The “Strengthening Local Capacities for Disaster Preparedness and Response” project is being implemented in 21 local communities across both entities and the Brčko District, providing equipment, training, simulations, and contingency planning for civil protection teams. IOM, AICS, and the Italian Embassy reaffirmed their shared commitment to ongoing collaboration and long-term community resilience. All equipment is provided in cooperation with the Federal and Republic Civil Protection Administrations, according to the needs identified by beneficiary municipalities. The project, valued at 1.3 million BAM, aims to create safer and more resilient communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For more information, please contact:
Majda Balić, IOM,
