OSCE opens five temporary premises following floods and landslides in Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJEVO, 11 July 2014 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina has opened five temporary premises to provide support in the aftermath of the devastating floods and landslides that struck the country in May. They are now operational in Bijeljina, Maglaj, Orasje, Samac and Prijedor and add to the Mission’s existing structure of 11 field offices covering the entire territory of BiH.

“With the additional premises, the Mission aims to support key domestic partners at a time of significant need and strained resources,” said Fletcher M. Burton, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH. “Targeted assistance will aim to bolster the operational capacities of public institutions, especially in regards to restoring and safeguarding key services to citizens”.

In response to the natural disaster, the Mission has shifted its programmatic activities to offer needed and timely assistance. This was done within the overall Mission objectives to promote stability by supporting the development of systems of governance, justice and education that uphold human rights.

The temporary premises are also expected to be of value for other international community actors and relief organizations in support of their disaster-response efforts.