Building Back Better in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Between May 14 and May 17, 2014, more rain fell in Bosnia and Herzegovina than typically falls in three months. Rivers swelled, mountains eroded, and disaster struck the country. This flood — the worst in recorded history — affected more than 1 million people (25% of the population), and caused estimated damages and losses equivalent to nearly 15% of the country’s GDP. In a country where one fifth of the workforce is employed in agriculture, river floods inundated newly-plowed fields and ravaged 81 municipalities, severely disrupting the economy and imperiling livelihoods.

With more than 2,500 km2 of territory prone to ooding, Bosnia and Herzegovina is particularly vulnerable to extreme precipitation and river basin flooding, which have intensified in recent years. Despite improved emergency services, floods and landslides represent a recurring risk, as seen in December 2010 and May 2014. Currently, the country’s annual average population affected by flooding exceeds 100,000, and the annual average impact on GDP is nearly $600 million. The most productive regions are also among the most exposed areas of the country as they are located around the Sava, Drina, Bosna, and Vrbas rivers, which have many agricultural holdings, industrial facilities, energy plants, and touristic sites.