RISK ASSESSMENT OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA REGARDING
NATURAL OR OTHER DISASTERS
(Final version)
8 October 2011
The Document Risk Assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina Regarding Natural or other Disasters
provides an objective picture of the risks in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as those with cross-border
effects.
This document was prepared by the Balkans Institute for Risk Assessment and Emergency Management
in cooperation with the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and in accordance with the
requirements set by the UNDP BiH. Funding was provided by the EU.
The risk assessment identifies potential accidents and disasters and analyses their likelihood and
possible effect on people, property, the environment, infrastructure and community. The process
includes a risk assessment of historical and scientific data and evaluation by professional experts who
are competent to analyse the risks in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are three levels of analysis: (I) risk
identification, (II) assessment of the probability of risks and their consequences and (III) a comparison
between risks and recommendations on the current state of preventive measures.
Pursuant to Article 13 of the Framework Law on the Protection and Rescue of People and Property from
Natural or Other Disasters (Official Gazette of BiH, No. 50/08) the Council of Ministers of BiH adopted
the Risk Assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina Regarding Natural or Other Disasters.
In the preparation and implementation of this important document for the area of Disaster Risk
Reduction (DRR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina the participants and members of the professional team were
actively involved through five plenary conferences. Through a resolution of the Council of Ministers of
BiH the Interdepartmental Working Group for Risk Assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding
Natural or Other Disasters was formed. The working group consists of seventy-four representatives
drawn from state and entity ministries, the Department of Public Safety, the Government of Brcko
District, experts from various fields, governmental and non-governmental and civil society organisations,
and individual experts from DEMA.
The Risk Assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina is an essential document that will serve to create
protection and rescue plans and development programmes for natural and other disasters within the
relevant institutions and bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Contents
I METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................................................................... 5
II IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN HAZARDS ....................................................................... 6
HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS ............................................................................................................ 6
EARTHQUAKES .............................................................................................................................................. 8
LANDSLIDES ................................................................................................................................................... 8
BIOHAZARDS ................................................................................................................................................. 8
PLANT HEALTH AND LAND POLLUTION ........................................................................................................ 9
FOOD SAFETY .............................................................................................................................................. 10
INFECTIOUS ANIMAL DISEASES ................................................................................................................... 10
FIRE ............................................................................................................................................................. 11
INDUSTRIAL HAZARDS................................................................................................................................. 11
HAZARDS TO ROAD, RAIL, SEA AND AIR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION ......................................... 13
MAIL AND COMMUNICATIONS ................................................................................................................... 15
NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL HAZARDS ................................................................................................... 16
OTHER HAZARDS ......................................................................................................................................... 17
III RECCOMANDATIONS.............................................................................................................................. 17
HYDROLOGICAL HAZARDS........................................................................................................................... 17
EARTHQUAKES ............................................................................................................................................ 18
BIOHAZARDS (Plant health, the pollution of agricultural land, protection of agricultural land, food safety
and incidence of infectious animal diseases in Bosnia and Herzegovina) .................................................. 18
FIRES ............................................................................................................................................................ 19
INDUSTRIAL HAZARDS................................................................................................................................. 19
HAZARDS TO ROAD, RAIL, SEA AND AIR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS........................................ 19
NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL HAZARDS ................................................................................................... 19
The basic document for the development of Risk Assessment is the methodology for Risk Assessment in
Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding natural and other disasters.
I METHODOLOGY
 Through the methodology for conducting a Risk Assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina Regarding Natural
or Other Disasters (hereinafter referred to as the “Methodology”) the following has been determined:
a) purpose, goals, scope, principles and definitions of terms relevant for making risk assessment;
b) method of preparation, content and those responsible of making risk assessments;
c) providing conclusions and recommendations for effective reduction of the risks of natural or other
disasters.
• Risk assessment achieves the following goals:
a) identification of all types of the main hazards that can cause natural or other disasters in Bosnia and
Herzegovina as well as those with cross-border effects;
b) estimation of the level of exposure of people, property and critical infrastructure to all major hazards;
c) carry out, based on the assessment of the hazards and the vulnerability and exposure to hazards, a
systematic scaling of the risks and location of the risks (risks within BiH or cross-border risks),
estimation of their probability, causes and consequences expressed in terms of human, material and or
financial losses.
• Participants in the development and updating of the Risk Assessment of BiH, in accordance with this
methodology, were as follows:
a) ministries and other sectors of Bosnia and Herzegovina relevant to protection and rescue;
b) if necessary, entity agencies and institutions in coordination and through the entity civil
protection administrations;
c) relevant administrative bodies of Brcko District for protection and rescue;
d) relevant institutes, scientific and research institutions in BiH as well as such institutions and experts of
partner countries and international organisations that have experience in preparing assessment
documents and the expertise and necessary information in areas that include risk assessment.
 The main activities of Risk Assessment for Bosnia and Herzegovina are as follows:
a) list the general characteristics of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, data sources and
identification of the gaps;
b) identification and analysis of constant and potential hazards;
c) identification of hazards with cross-border effects;
d) perform a categorisation of target elements under the risk and assessment on exposure to hazards of
critical elements and the level of exposure to hazards and their possible consequences for people,
material goods and the potential financial losses;
e) evaluation and risk profiling, which includes making a historical catalogue of previous accidents
together with submission of the appropriate type and scale of maps;
f) identification of high-risk areas, including those areas exposed to multiple hazards and areas where
the expressed hazards and or high-risk hazardous activities threaten vulnerable communities;
g) identification of the options for disaster risk reduction (vulnerability and vital elements of the
population exposed to hazards) of natural, manmade and other disasters, which includes an
assessment of the capacity of vulnerable areas in terms of disaster risk reduction and response to the
accident when the risks escalate;
h) making conclusions and recommendations.
Section A: The General part of the Assessment
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
In the general part of a Risk Assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina the following information is
presented:
characteristics of the territory;
population;
layout and structure of houses and other buildings;
material and cultural property and the environment;
transport and other facilities and critical infrastructure installations.
Section B: Special part of the Assessment
1. Identification and analysis of the main hazards includes:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
hydrometeorological hazards such as flooding, drought, hail, ice, snow-drifts, storm force winds and
other hazards;
geological hazards like earthquakes;
geological hazards such as mudslides, landslides and ground subsidence;
biologic hazards such as epidemics of infectious diseases that effect humans, plants and animals as
well as the origin of plant and animal foods;
open space fires/wildfires;
manmade accidents;
identification of those hazards with cross-border effects.
2. Analysis of Protection and Rescue
See sections C and D: “Conclusion” and “Additions”.
• The Council of Ministers of BiH established a working group for the Risk Assessment of Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
• Risk Assessment in BiH is subject to updating in accordance with any changes at least once every two
years.
II IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN HAZARDS
HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS
The Risk Assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina has determined that the territory of Bosnia and
Herzegovina is threatened by natural and other disasters that the human factor cannot influence. These
threats can be separated into flooding and other natural causes belonging to the category of extreme
weather conditions. The latter includes wind storms with the appearance of hail, snow and high snow,
drought, frost and haze. Over the last ten years extreme events have become more frequent, as
exemplified, amongst others, by the floods of 2004 and 2010; the droughts of 2000, 2003 and 2007; the
intense daily rainfall during 2009 and 2010 and the appearance of strong and stormy wind and hail in
2005, 2006 and 2009.
Floods represent the greatest threat in the territory of BiH. In 2010 flooding was followed by extreme
rainfall during the first nine months of the year. In most areas the annual average rainfall was exceeded.
The enormous increase in rainfall was particularly expressed in the south-eastern part of Herzegovina,
where floods were recorded towards the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010. In November 2010
there was between 500 l/m2 and 634 l/m2 of rain in Gacko, while the national average for that month
was 200-300 l/m2.
Endangered areas can be protected most effectively by building protective structures and systems, such
as dams, the regulation of riverbeds, circumferential drainage channels and embankments, pumping
stations and multi-purpose reservoirs, while existing protective structures should be regularly and well
maintained and upgraded as well as appropriately managed during floods. Hail represents a specific
danger in those areas where the geographical location and climatic factors enable its frequency,
especially in areas of intensive agricultural activity and densely populated areas. This is particularly the
case with the area along the Sava River: Kozara and Potkozarje, Lijevče field, the Sava and Drina and
Semberija.
When we compared the long-term data series from 1961 to 1990 with the series from 2000 to 2009 we
observed a trend in the increase of the number of days with hail. This can be attributed to an increase in
the average temperature and sudden temperature amplitudes in June and July 2003 and 2007 and in
August 2009 and 2010. Hail caused considerable material damage during storms that spread to the
towns of Bosanska Krupa in Bosanska Krajina, Capljina in Herzegovina and Gorazde in eastern Bosnia in
2007.
Heavy snow, high snow and high snow coverage can present serious difficulties for the conduct of
normal daily activities. Through the available data, it is evident that those hydrometeorological stations
at higher altitudes record the maximum height of snow coverage as well as the greatest frequency of
days with a snow depth of ≥ 10, 30 and 50cm. The number of snow days ranges from approximately
seventeen to forty-one, while January is the month with the most snow days (eleven). During the winter
of 1999-2000 heavy snowfall swept most parts of the country and a state of natural disaster was
declared in the northeast of Bosnia.
Drought is an unpredictable natural disaster that has a significant impact on agriculture, water
management and other economic activities, as well as human activities and the environment. The
greatest risk of drought in Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the northeast and southwest. In the last fifty
years seven extremely dry periods have been recorded. In descending order, areas where droughts
occur once every ten years are as follows: Mostar, Bijeljina, Bosanski Brod, Sarajevo, Livno, Banja Luka,
and Bihac. In the area of northern Bosnia during the period spring - summer in 2003 there was a drought
that was more intense than the one in 2000. A lack of rainfall in the summer of 2003 caused the
hydrological drought, which was manifested in a reduction in surface and ground water supplies.
Wind storms are a common companion to disasters caused by lightning, when rainfall is intense heavy
and often with hail; this often causes major damage to property, agricultural and other buildings and
endangers traffic and human life. Storms are possible in all seasons of the year, but they usually happen
during the colder part of the year. Anticyclonic storms are characterised by wind gusts from 30 to 37
m/s, while winds over 17.2 m/s are registered between five and ten times per year. The maximum wind
speed of 44 m/s occurs, on average, once every fifty years.
To create a basis for future development planning it is necessary for the hydrometeorological
institutions to provide high quality scientific research and development. This will enable them to
improve their work in the areas of time monitoring, analysis and forecasting, climatology, hydrology and
agrometeorology, forecasting and climate modelling and develop the type of modern early warning
system that already exists within the European meteorological community. It is also necessary to work
on technical and technological development, professional and scientific development and on legal and
legislative regulation.
EARTHQUAKES
The territory of BiH is seismically one of the most active parts of the Balkan Peninsula. In addition to
natural earthquakes, which are common, artificial earthquakes also occur in the region as a result of
constructing water accumulations (dams); the latter have been registered at, amongst others, the dams
of Bocac, Grabovica, Grančarevo and Rama. According to available data, in the territory of Bosnia and
Herzegovina, in the past more destructive earthquakes (compared to the local focal zone) have occurred
of a magnitude M ≥ 5.0, with an intensity at the epicentre of Io≥ 7 on the MCS Scale.
At the entity level there are institutions that are responsible for covering geological activity, namely
Geozavod in Zvornik and the Federal Bureau of Geology in Sarajevo. The biggest gaps exist in the staffing
and the technical aspects of these institutions.
LANDSLIDES
The main criterion for assessing vulnerability to landslides in BiH is based on the existing evidence of
landslides or analysis of the consequences of the observed event when there were consequences for
people, property, infrastructure and the environment. The following list of representative landslides has
been created: Suljakovic landslide (Maglaj), Mala Broda landslide (Sarajevo), Bogatići-Trnovo landslide,
Čemerno - Gacko landslide, Lopare landslide, Zvornik landslide and the Banja Luka landslide.
BIOHAZARD
Infectious diseases are classified according to the ways and means of spreading the infection:
respiratory diseases, intestinal infectious diseases - antropozoonosis, sexually transmitted diseases and
other infectious diseases. In BiH the most common respiratory diseases in this group are flu,
streptococcal infection, varicella and tuberculosis. In the accompanying period, also a significant public
health problem regularly among the top ten diseases was the emergence of measles in the Republic of
Serbia, which has spread to the unvaccinated section of the population in the Federation of Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
Routine surveillance of communicable diseases in BiH is based on the law. On the registration list there
are eighty-four infectious diseases. Based on the appearance of infectious diseases, the Department of
Epidemiology of the Institute of Public Health of the Federation and the RS Institute for Health
Protection continuously monitor, analyse and assess the epidemiological situation in the country and
submit reports to the health sector, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the relevant international
institutions. In BiH there is currently no unified information network. Weaknesses in the oversight
system are the capacity for data duplication, the completeness and timeliness of reports, insufficient
laboratory diagnostics, while feedback is often lacking along with monitoring and supervision of quality
control.
The epidemiological situation concerning infectious diseases in BiH has been relatively good over recent
years. The most common infectious diseases are influenza, varicella, enterocolitis, TB, streptococcal
tonsillitis and food poisoning, with an increase in disease in the group antropozoonoza-brucellosis, Q
fever as well as registered cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and leptospirosis. The most
common epidemics of infectious diseases are influenza, enterocolitis, infectious food poisoning and
epidemics of infectious hepatitis A, trichinosis, Q fever, brucellosis have also been registered. The
lethality of infectious diseases is low, yet deaths caused by tuberculosis, AIDS, menigokokne sepsis and
encephalitis have been recorded.
PLANT HEALTH AND LAND POLLUTION
Multidisciplinary and complex threat assessments in the field of plant health and the pollution of
agricultural land have all contributed to separately analyze the hazards associated areas:
- human medicine;
- veterinary;
- plant health;
- land pollution;
- food Safety;
- pollution of water and air.
Land pollution is defined as the entry of substances into the land and or energy that could endanger
human health, have a negative impact on living organisms and the environment and damage the land or
structure in any manner inconsistent with the legal regulations within the field of environment. The
contamination of land is the most dangerous mode of destruction because damaging the basic
properties of the soil has a direct impact on human health. Most commonly it occurs in agricultural
areas where the intensive cultivation of plants (crops) and animals supplies the raw materials for the
production of food for human consumption. Land contamination resulting from toxic and hazardous
substances is highlighted as an important risk.
Given that seventy percent of the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina live either directly or indirectly
from income generated through agriculture and agricultural production any losses caused by harmful
organisms that threaten the health of plants/crops would have significant consequences on the
economic and social picture and also on the environment. Plants/crops are threatened by harmful
organisms which are classified according to their impact on the health and survival of individual species
and the risk of causing significant economic damage. Capacities available to the competent authorities
and the administrative organisations (ministry, department, inspectorate) as well as other legal entities,
such as universities or institutes in Bosnia and Herzegovina are still insufficient, both in terms of the
number of employed professional staff, training to acquire specific knowledge and skills and in terms of
tools and equipment for conducting field and laboratory work.
FOOD SAFETY
A food safety hazard (risk) is a biological, chemical, radiological or physical factor in food and or animal
feed, or the state of the food and feed, that has the potential to cause adverse effects to human health.
Food is considered unsafe if it is harmful to human health and or unfit for human consumption. The
Agency for Food Safety, in cooperation with the competent entity or Brcko District authorities, and
laboratories for food control in Bosnia and Herzegovina carry out a risk assessment of food safety as a
scientifically based process.
During the period 1 January to 30 June 2010 the following number of cases were registered within the
territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Salmonellosis patients 109 patients;
- Trichinosis patients 2 patients;
- Toxiinfectio alimentaris 343 patients.
During the same period there were three outbreaks, 25 patients, where food was certified as the cause
of transmission:
- 2 epidemics of Toxiinfectio alimentaris with 20 patients;
- 1 epidemic of acute enterocolitis with 5 patients.
INFECTIOUS ANIMAL DISEASES
The detection, control and reporting of infectious diseases amongst animals in Bosnia and Herzegovina
is laid down through numerous rules and regulations, in particular the Veterinarian Law in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. The competent authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the entities and Brcko District,
harmonise laws and regulations with the laws of the Veterinary Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In
accordance with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the entity and Brcko District veterinarian
services are responsible for the implementation, monitoring and control of infectious diseases in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, including zoonoses, where the public health service is responsible for people. The
Veterinarian Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina collects and collates data, based on the data obtained
from the competent authorities in the entities and Brcko District, on the occurrence of infectious
diseases and has plans to instigate further measures for control, prevention and the eradication of such
diseases.
Through the collection of regular monthly reports over the past five years it was observed that in Bosnia
and Herzegovina the following infectious diseases occurred regularly: rabies, brucellosis in sheep and
goats, bovine brucellosis, Q fever, an infectious anaemia of the ungulate, enzootic bovine leucosis,
leptospirosis, IBR/IPV, Nosema, trichinosis and Varooza. In addition to these diseases, also noted has
been the periodic reporting of bovine tuberculosis and the respiratory and reproductive syndrome of
pigs and arthritis and encephalitis in goats as well as anthrax, with the provision that in 2009 there were
no such reported cases.
FIRE
Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most densely forested countries in Europe, according to the level
of forest coverage in its territory. Forests and forestry land cover an area of approximately 27,000 km2
or 48.3% of its territory. The scope of forest coverage, especially those in the horizontal classification,
certainly have an influence on the degree of fire risk and the speed and duration of fire activation as well
as the organisation of fire fighting and other relevant factors. Since Bosnia and Herzegovina is comprised
of two entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska, and Brcko District
forestry in the country is organised accordingly. In the Republic of Srpska there is centralised forest
management, while in the cantons of the Federation each canton has an established cantonal forest and
agricultural society. 2007 will be remembered as the year of fire, especially in Herzegovina where the
estimated damage was about ten million BAM. This amount was significant greater than the investment
required for equipment, training and the maintenance of fire brigades and civil protection as well as for
assessment. The indirect damage caused by fires to forest ecosystems was much higher and at the
global level reached ten to seventeen times greater.
The establishment of cantonal forest management companies and the publication of the rules for the
planned development of fire protection significantly influenced the procurement of fire-fighting
equipment, staff training and improved cooperation between fire departments and the setting of
monitoring and other activities. Most of the fires were either directly or indirectly caused by man;
however, with timely action taken by the staff of the forestry companies and professional and volunteer
fire brigades it was possible to prevent major damage. Yet, civil protection and local residents are still
not sufficiently involved in fire fighting.
After the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina the fire service became significantly depleted in terms of
material and technical resources and equipment, without enough financial resources for the renewal or
replacement of equipment. Vehicles are of different ages, ranging mostly from fifteen to forty-five years.
Other equipment is mostly outdated and the equipment for firelighters needs to be renewed at all
levels.
Based on this data, we can conclude that the current situation in the field of fire fighting in Bosnia is
unsatisfactory, mainly due to a lack of the following:
- the number of fire operatives does not meet the actual needs;
- some municipalities do not have established fire fighting units;
- the age structure of firemen is extremely unfavourable;
- material and technical equipment is highly unsatisfactory.
INDUSTRIAL HAZARDS
Defined areas for industrial hazards, including accidents, are as follows:
- industrial plants;
- dumps sites for hazardous substances;
- refineries;
- thermal and hydro power plants;
- gas pipelines;
- underground and surface mines.
Protection and rescue from fire requires a thorough reconstruction of all major areas important for
quality communication, functioning and development, harmonisation and integration of existing
resources into administrative bodies, private enterprises, professional and volunteer divisions as well as
increased awareness about the development of personal and mutual protection from dangers amongst
citizens. There is the need to undertake measures to renovate the existing material and technical
resources and equipment of the fire fighting divisions and volunteer fire companies and to upgrade
equipment to meet applicable standards and regulations.
Explosions
Provide professional staff, adequate control, supervision and equipping for all facilities, chemical,
petrochemical, pharmaceutical, mining, food industry associations and technical facilities, with
controlled fire alarms and fire parameters, stable installation for reducing the effects of an explosion
and facilities for personal and collective protection. The necessary conditions should be put in placer for
the safe handling of hazardous materials in their production, transportation, storage and destruction,
including the disposal of hazardous materials.
The massive release of oil into the Adriatic and Black Sea Basin
It is necessary to check and if required repair all terminals used for the storage of petroleum products
and to conduct a review in order to ensure that they are harmonised with existing EU regulations for the
transportation of dangerous goods.
Discharge of chemicals in urban areas
To establish the rate of emissions of pollutants and contaminants into the atmosphere in accordance
with international methodology, including information on the type and quantity of emissions of
pollutants and the cross-border movement of hazardous substances. The problem of obtaining
equipment for the detection of hazardous pollutants is to be resolved through projects aimed at the
procurement of modern equipment and adequate staff training.
Long-term interruption of electricity supply to large areas
It is necessary to develop balance and stability studies for the existing dam facilities in operation and
perform other activities that affect dam safety and physical, geodetic and seismic observations. It is
necessary to produce flood wave studies (primary and secondary) for all catchments that have an
impact on people and material goods in stream capture. Plans for preventive warning, warning and the
evacuation of people and property need to be developed and funds provided to install automatic
metering stations and water level alarms on all of the major rivers as well as downstream from the
dams.
Dumps for hazardous substances
It is necessary to create a register of waste and to establish continuous monitoring of specific
management. The problem of specific waste destruction can be resolved through the acquisition of
mobile incinerators.
The emission of harmful substances from industrial plants into waterways
It is necessary to create a register of waste and establish the continuous monitoring of specific
management. The problem of specific waste destruction can be solved through the acquisition of mobile
incinerators. It is necessary to establish the verification and reconstruction of protection against
accidents caused by dangerous goods in landfills, with particular emphasis on dumps in the area of
watercourses.
Highlighting leachate water from regional dumps
Develop a register of regional landfills and establish continuous surveillance of them aimed at
prevention. Conduct monitoring and the reconstruction of security measures to prevent accidents at
regional landfills in the area of waterways and the mandatory implementation of legislation in this area.
Emissions of pollutants from industrial and power plants
To establish a cadastre of pollutants and contaminant emissions released into the atmosphere under
current standards and to establish information on the type and quantity of pollutant emissions and the
cross-border movement of hazardous substances. The problem of obtaining equipment for the
detection of hazardous pollutants can be resolved through projects aimed at the procurement of
modern equipment and adequate staff training. Study the possibilities for the desulphurisation of flue
gases at all thermal power stations and conduct the relevant feasibility studies.
HAZARDS IN ROAD, RAIL, SEA AND AIR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
RAILWAY TRAFFIC
The safety of the railway in Bosnia and Herzegovina lies within the working domain of the two vertically
integrated railway companies: Railways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH Railway) and
the Railways of the Republic of Srpska.
The causes of emergency situations in railway transportation can be attributed to the outdated railway
infrastructure, particularly sections of the track where there are critical points that threaten mudslides,
landslides when heavy rainfall occurs and due to damage to the railway embankments and settlement
gauges, the removal of railways signs and disrespect for posted signs, especially in places where the
road and railway intersect, and unauthorised and illegal access to the railway by people. Accidents are
also caused by old cars and rail tracks, natural disasters and the human factor, namely errors by the
executive staff of the railway. The most common causes of railway accidents over the recent period
have been carelessness on the part of pedestrians when crossing roads and walking across open railway
lines. Pedestrians and drivers of road vehicles do not pay attention to signs and the movement of trains.
The constant danger present during the transportation of hazardous material by rail should be noted
and everyone should have in mind the potential risks and unforeseen consequences.
In relation to railway traffic accidents that occur at crossings, based on the required data from both
entities, on average fifteen people a year lose their lives and twenty are seriously injured. In the last
eight years, in addition to the injuries and deaths, the railway sector has suffered indirect damage
expressed through the duration of interrupted rail traffic, namely delays caused to trains as a result of
accidents.
ROAD TRAFFIC
Road traffic, as the most common mode of transport, is an important link in the transport system in
Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the relevant statistical indicators show that the personal safety of
citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina from harm in road accidents is unsatisfactory. Road safety in BiH is
significantly worse than the European average: every year in Bosnia and Herzegovina about 400 people
lose their lives and about 10,000 are injured, of which more than 2,000 people suffer serious bodily
injury.
In the Republic of Srpska over the period 2001 to 2004 there was a noticeable trend in the decrease in
the number of traffic accidents and people killed in road accidents; however, from 2005 the number and
severity of recorded road accidents increased. In 2005 there were 10,369 recorded accidents with 1,912
injured and 151 killed persons. In these accidents 2,952 persons were killed or injured, out of which 164
persons died, 640 seriously injured and a further 2,146 persons received minor injuries. In 2006 10,066
traffic accidents (-2.9%) were recorded, out of which 1,791 were accidents resulting in injuries (-3%) and
168 resulting in fatalities (+11.3%). In these accidents 3,179 persons were either killed or injured, out of
which 208 persons died, 702 were seriously injured and 2,275 received minor injuries. In 2007 there
were 10,933 traffic accidents; in these accidents 190 persons were killed, 828 seriously injured and
2,734 people received minor injuries. The greatest number of accidents occurred on main roads, streets
in the populated areas and on regional and local roads.
Road traffic accident list for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- In 2005 in the Federation there were 24,156 traffic accidents in which 199 persons were killed and
6,250 persons were injured.
- In 2006 there were 25,301 traffic accidents in which 208 persons were killed and 7,012 persons were
injured.
- In 2007 there were 28,561 traffic accidents in which 236 persons were killed and 8,085 persons were
injured.
- In 2008 there were 29,574 traffic accidents in which 245 persons were killed and 7,830 persons were
injured.
- In 2009 there were 29,384 traffic accidents in which 198 persons were killed and 7,365 persons were
injured.
AIR TRANSPORT
The Directorate of Civil Aviation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH DCA) is the only aviation regulator in the
country and provides for the safe operation of air traffic within the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Civil aviation security is an area that requires strict regulation and close collaboration between multiple
entities; first of all this is due to the potential severity of the consequences that would result from the
event of illegal interference or acts, such as the great number of victims, often of different nationalities.
This would create a situation with cross-border effects in terms of loss of life as well as causing major
financial damage and disruption to air traffic.
Hazards to the air traffic safety system that can cause both minor and serious accidents are classified
into the below types.
1) Hazards that may occur during the implementation of aircraft operation.
2) Hazards related to technical work on aircraft.
3) Hazards related to airports.
4) Hazards related to air traffic control (ATC).
The aforementioned hazards, which can cause serious accidents, can generally be placed in the
following categories or types: extreme natural phenomena, transportation hazards, terrorism, fire and
accidents involving hazardous/polluting substances, epidemics and disease. In the system of civil
aviation security the following types of hazards are known:
a) aircraft rape;
b) armed attacks on civil aviation facilities, equipment, staff and passengers;
c) violence against persons on board during flight, if there is the possibility that such an act
might endanger the safety of the aircraft;
d) destruction of aircraft when in use, causing such damage that an aircraft cannot fly or causing
such damage that could endanger the safety of an aircraft during flight;
e) placing a device or material onboard an aircraft that when tampered with in any way could result in
the destruction of the aircraft or cause such damage that an aircraft cannot fly or cause such damage
that could endanger the safety of an aircraft during flight.
f) destruction or damage to facilities and or equipment for air navigation or the obstruction of their
operation, if such actions might endanger the safety of an aircraft in flight;
h) transmission of incorrect information that might endanger the safety of an aircraft in flight;
i) illegal and intentional usage of any harmful or explosive device, substance or weapon.
WATER TRANSPORT (Sea and Rivers)
According to available data on the waterway of the River Sava during the last five years there were no
accidents that resulted in injury and or loss of life or the destruction of material goods on vessels in the
coastal edge. In the maritime waterways between Klek-Neum Bay, the Straits of Malo and the
Malostonski channel there have been no major accidents of maritime vessels involving victims or
damage to material and or technical goods.
POST AND COMMUNICATIONS
The area of communications and post in Bosnia and Herzegovina is institutionally covered by the
following institutions:
- Ministry of Communications and Transport;
- Regulatory Agency for Communications in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- Ministry of Transport and Communications of RS;
- Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- Postal Services Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Since these are objects that do not require the constant presence of people we cannot speak in terms of
killed or injured people, but it always concerns the destruction of material goods that must be restored
relatively quickly and whose revitalisation depends on the financial capacities of the public broadcasting
services, telecom operators and weather conditions. The area of communications and post is very
specific and very "easy" to maintain from a security aspect, because mainly poles of different heights
(25-90 metres) that comprise the infrastructure are rarely exposed to accidents, excluding the impact of
wind and the human factor. Yet these poles are located at high altitudes and are characterised by
inaccessibility, especially during the winter.
NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
According to the categorisation of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which has to be an integral
part of the legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of radiological and nuclear safety, the
sources of ionizing radiation as well as the vulnerability of the population to the effects of radiological
and nuclear hazards should be categorised as follows:
groups I & II cover nuclear power plants and reactors;
group III covers radioactive sources and devices that produce ionizing radiation of high resonance, which
are located in health facilities;
group IV covers radioactive sources that are not stationary and can occur anywhere, including sources of
radiography, transportation, lost and illegally transported or imported sources, etc;
group V covers food and water contamination as a result of nuclear hazards.
NUCLEAR HAZARDS
In the area of Bosnia and Herzegovina no nuclear power plants have been constructed and therefore
Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot be a source of radioactive pollution or contamination, neither on its own
territory nor as a source of cross-border contamination. However, there are nuclear power plants in the
neighbouring countries, of which the closest are: Krsko in Slovenia (about 400 km from the border) that
has one reactor, Paks in Hungary (about 450 km from the border) with four reactors and Kozloduy in
Bulgaria (about 690 km from the border) with two nuclear reactors. In addition to these, there are
several other nuclear plants at distances of up to 1,000 km from the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Thus, Bosnia and Herzegovina can be a “victim” of cross-border hazard contamination.
RADIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
Radiological hazards can be caused by radioactive sources and devices that produce ionizing radiation of
high radioactivity. Radioactive material can be divided into two basic groups according to the possibility
of hazards occurrence:
- Radioactive sources that are under control;
- Radioactive sources out of control that can occur at anytime, anywhere and are of unknown origin.
The authorised users of radioactive sources in the competent institutions in medicine or industry have
their own plans to control and deal with emergencies in the event of an incident and thus the
consequences would be limited to a few people. It is the same situation with radioactive sources during
their importation, exportation, transit and transportation in general.
OTHER HAZARDS
WAREHOUSING OF LANDMINES
Bosnia and Herzegovina faces the problem of an excess of landmines that are located across the country
in warehouses. Due to a lack of funding for the destruction of such mines and the means to solve the
relevant problems BiH will continue to face this problem for many years to come, which can result in
accidents and disasters.
HAZARD OF UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE
Bosnia and Herzegovina, fifteen years after the end of the war, still faces the problem of the high risk of
landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Despite a lot of effort and significant progress in solving the
landmine/UXO problem in the past, the fact is that old minefields that are spread throughout the
country continue to represent a major obstacle to public safety and socio-economic development.
TERRORISM
Terrorism is a crime and cannot be justified under any circumstances. During such attacks, terrorists
choose the most important facilities for the civilian population, as well as places of massive gatherings.
Governments need to pay attention to capacity building and the establishment of standard operating
procedures for complete protection of the civilian population and the rehabilitation of the potential
consequences of terrorist attacks.
The list of risks is based on the fact that in the past throughout the whole territory of BiH a number of
acts of violence against members of different ethnic, religious and or other groups and against their
property, facilities and monuments were registered as well as other incidents that have adversely
affected the general state of public safety.
III RECOMMENDATIONS
HYDROLOGICAL HAZARDS
1. It is necessary to further improve the monitoring system, early warning system and forecasting through
an increase in the number of hydrological stations and the introduction of hydrological models for flood
forecasting and the more effective preparation of implementing operational measures for protection
against flooding.
2. Improve cross-sectoral and inter-entity coordination and cooperation amongst all stakeholders in the
implementation of flood protection measures, which comes under the domain of the relevant
government departments.
3. It is necessary to further develop the institutions for implementing operational measures aimed at
protection and rescue; this should be done through further recruitment, training and their adequate
equipping and through the implementation of continuous monitoring.
4. It is necessary to obtain meteorological radar, to improve the technical equipment, carry out continuous
education and to reanalyse and map those areas where cities appear in greater numbers.
5. Provide the necessary equipment and replace outdated equipment in the metrological stations, enable
more weather stations for 24/7 operations, including in the European system for monitoring, revamp
the computer and telecommunications infrastructure and purchase servers for forecasting models.
EARTHQUAKE
1.
2.
3.
It is necessary to strengthen the personnel and the technical capacities of the seismological institutions
in order to provide better coordination and exchange of information. One of the main activities should
be the establishment and development of a cadastre for landslides and the making of maps of soil
stability at the entity level and their harmonisation.
It is necessary to ensure quality and reliable transmission of data from the seismic stations in the entity
centres where the data is processed and the results are treated and submitted to the Operational
Communication Centre of Bosnia and Herzegovina for use in the 112 emergency call system.
Bosnia and Herzegovina still uses regulations for construction in seismic areas that date from 1981 and
former Yugoslavia. The same or modified rules should be adopted at the state level in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, as well as rules on technical standards for monitoring dams and rules on observation
facilities with many levels.
BIOHAZARDS: Plant health and pollution of agricultural land, protecting agricultural land,
food safety and incidence of infectious animal diseases in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Strengthen and maintain the capacity for detection, assessment and the reporting of events, early
detection, prompt public health response and coordination of all relevant health facilities with
preventive measures to stop the spread of disease, burden and the cutback (hygiene and sanitation
measures, immunisation, antibiotic and antiviral therapy).
Education of health workers in emergency planning and resource allocation.
Accelerate activities on the establishment of phytosanitary inspections and the provision of adequate
equipment and training to ensure external and internal measures of quarantine for plants.
Connect professional and scientific institutions in the implementation of the system for the protection
and monitoring of land.
Strengthen activities aimed at the faster equipping and training of staff in public services to perform
laboratory, diagnostic, observational, forecasting and other professional activities.
Strengthen the capacity of authorised veterinarian laboratories.
Establish better communication and inter-sectoral cooperation.
Enable the simplification of the procedures for public procurement in emergency situations.
Provide financial resources for recovery from crisis situations.
FIRE
1.
2.
3.
The education system should adequately incorporate the importance of forest fires and measures to
combat forest fires.
Establish new and increase the strength of the existing fire-fighting units.
Procurement of fire equipment, vehicles and operating systems for monitoring.
INDUSTRIAL HAZARDS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Create a general development plan for preparedness at all levels of government.
Make a registry/cadastre of risk facilities.
Create/update defence plans and rescue plans for potential accidents and ensure the application of the
Convention on the Cross-border effects of Industrial Accidents.
Mandatory training in and testing the application of alert readiness, protection and self-defence of the
population.
Make/update the relevant legislation and provide guidance and instruction in areas that lack staff
education and amongst the general population.
Increase the frequency of inspections.
Assess the strategy for financing prevention and rehabilitation measures in the event of an accident.
Assess the potential impact of accidents on the local environment and population.
HAZARDS TO ROAD, RAIL, SEA AND AIR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
1.
2.
3.
4.
Implementation of legal acts, norms and strategic programmes and planning documents and the
consistent application of EU directives concerning the safety of the road infrastructure, which includes
consideration of security at the design phase.
Informational and technical foundation-database (GIS) to create a relevant adequate and responsible
system of risk management for traffic. Use positive experiences of European countries, most notably
Sweden, the Netherlands and Great Britain.
In terms of the safety of railway transport, in addition to the human factor, the most significant level of
assurance is committed cell signalling and safety devices.
Modernisation and construction of safety facilities for navigation and infrastructure.
NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Determine the responsibilities of institutions at all levels in the event of emergency situations.
It is necessary to carry out continuous training of all participants in border traffic and the transportation
of goods that contain or may contain radioactive material, as well as to ensure the provision of detectors
for radioactive material at border crossings.
Existing public institutions (Public Health Federation and the Institute of Public Health Serbian) and civil
protection services are to be equipped with special vehicles and equipment necessary in the event of
emergencies and staff should be trained to work with such equipment.
As Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have a radioactive waste disposal capacity there is the need to
launch an initiative amongst the relevant institutions to initiate the procedure for its establishment.