ZAGREB, 8 May (Hina) – Croatia is ready to help Bosnia and Herzegovina with demining through the exchange of expertise, technical assistance and the possible deployment of demining resources, Interior Minister Davor Božinović said in Mostar on Friday after meeting the country’s Civil Affairs Minister Dubravka Bošnjak.
Demining remains one of the most important security, humanitarian and development challenges for Bosnia and Herzegovina three decades after the end of the war.
According to official data, 1,782 people have been killed or injured in mine incidents since the end of the war, including 625 fatalities. Around 774 square kilometres remain contaminated, while some 93,000 people in 110 municipalities still live near suspected hazardous areas.
Božinović noted that demining efforts were hindered by limited domestic funding and reduced international donor support. He said Croatia understood the scale of the challenge and was ready to share its expertise and resources.
“Croatia is ready to share its knowledge, experience and capabilities. Demining is a moral obligation towards the victims and their families,” he said.
He added that Croatia’s support would include the exchange of experience and expert knowledge, as well as the possible involvement of Croatian demining units.
Božinović also recalled that Croatia had successfully completed demining after nearly three decades of work, clearing almost 107,000 explosive devices and 470,000 items of unexploded ordnance.
