Austrian support to BH MAC

The official handover of vehicles and protective equipment to BH MAC survey teams was implemented by Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Dr Michael Weninger and Goran Ga?nik, ITF Director in the premises of BH MAC on Tuesday, 16 December 2008. 

This is the second donation that the Republic of Austria designated to Bosnia and Herzegovina this year. Up to now, the Government of the Republic of Austria has donated through ITF more than 3, 5 million Euros for the support of mine action programs in the region of South East Europe and South Caucasus. In 2008, Austria donated 500.000 Euros for clearance activities in municipalities Visoko, Domaljevac Šamac, Doboj in Br?ko in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

ITF cooperates with BHMAC since its establishment in 1998 and earmarked more than 103 milion Euros for mine action activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina supported by various donors. » According to the official data of BHMAC, there is still about 1686 square km of mine suspected area so that are making normal life impossible. It is necessary to be aware of mines and other unexploded ordnance that are not only the additional danger to people but also hinders the social and economical development of Bosnia and Herzegovina« said Mr. Goran Gacnik, ITF Director at the official handover ceremony.

During the 10 years of ITF presence in the region of South East Europe, ITF with the widespread community of its donors raised more than 241 million EUR, cleared more than 90 millions square meters of land, rehabilitated almost 1000 mine victims and enabled mine risk education to more than 100.000 children in the region of South East Europe. With the support of its donors and with gained knowledge in the SEE region, ITF will spread its activities also to other mine affected regions of the world.