Türkiye provides shelter and hope to Bosnia and Herzegovina flood victims
Container home. (AA Photo)
Families affected by the catastrophic floods that struck Bosnia and Herzegovina on Oct. 4 have begun moving into container homes donated by Türkiye.
The Turkish government deployed 60 container homes to the flood-stricken region, offering temporary shelter to those who lost their homes. The units, equipped with essential amenities, have been placed at locations chosen by the affected families.
So far, 10 families have relocated to the new homes, with others preparing to make the move.
Sadik Babur Girgin, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, visited the village of Buturovic Polje, one of the hardest-hit areas, to show solidarity with survivors. He was joined by Erdinc Isik, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Coordinator of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), and Osman Catic, the mayor of Konjic.
During his visit, Girgin praised the coordinated efforts of Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), TIKA, and the Turkish Red Crescent.
“We are here to observe the families’ current situation and offer support,” Girgin told reporters. He added that Türkiye remains committed to assisting the region and announced plans for TIKA to implement agricultural recovery projects to help local communities rebuild.
“The people here rely heavily on agriculture, but they have lost their resources and livestock,” Girgin said. “As Türkiye, we assured them that all our institutions would provide as much assistance as possible.”
The floods, which affected five cities, claimed 27 lives and caused widespread destruction. Roads and infrastructure were severely damaged, but recent clearing operations allowed Türkiye’s container homes and relief supplies to reach the impacted areas.
For survivors, the aid represents a lifeline. Fikret Hakalovic, 70, was among the first to move into a container home.
“I lost everything I had worked for over the years,” Hakalovic said. Despite the loss, he expressed gratitude for his family’s survival. “When I saw my wife, children, grandchildren, and daughters-in-law alive, I was overjoyed. We stayed strong as a family.”
Hakalovic, now focused on rebuilding his barn to restart livestock farming, described the container home as a blessing. “It’s equipped with air conditioning and provides a sense of comfort amid this hardship,” he said.
Türkiye’s swift response and ongoing support underscore the longstanding friendship between the two nations. “We will continue to visit and support them,” Girgin said, reaffirming Türkiye’s dedication to helping Bosnia and Herzegovina recover from the disaster.
