Bridge construction in Lukavica Rijeka

Following the success of last year of the bridge reconstruction projects the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) continues to manage funds, from the EU Floods Recovery Programme, necessary for purchasing material for four bridges in Zvornik, Lukavica Rijeka, Gradiška and Šekovići.

The chief of the Mobile Mentoring Team (MMT), Captain István Baranyai, from the Hungarian Defence Forces said “We have been involved in this project in Lukavica Rijeka for five weeks, but the preparation for the bridges building project started a few months ago".

The ‘double use of forces’ is the most economical way to run a military force. This involves AF BiH being utilized, not only for international crisis management and Peace Support Operations (PSO), but also in other important areas such as disaster relief and domestic support to civil authorities: the bridge construction being an excellent example of support to local communities by the AF BiH.

Captain Baranyai spoke of the MMT’s role in mentoring the AF BiH engineering team and highlighted the fact that the AF BiH were very motivated and well trained. He also stated that the bridge should be completed in two weeks.

Thanks to the CB&T programme, EUFOR ensures that the Armed Forces gain the training and skills to contribute to humanitarian tasks.

Pictures by Lt Cdr Pippa Routledge