Bosanski Petrovac, 25 May 2018 – Today, twenty refugee families and displaced persons received keys to their new homes in a multi-apartment building constructed under the Regional Housing Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This investment is part of the RHP sub-project BiH3, which consists in the construction of 512 apartments in 24 apartment buildings, in 19 municipalities throughout the country. The works are ongoing or about to start in all locations, with the objective of completing the sub-project in 2019.

The Mayor of Bosanski Petrovac, Zlatko Hujić, opened the ceremony and welcomed the participants: “Today, we are celebrating the day of our municipality Bosanski Petrovac in front of the new RHP apartment building. Safe housing is one of the most important elements necessary for a decent life. These 20 families will finally, after more than 20 years, move into new flats. I would like to specifically thank the RHP donors for providing funds for our new apartment building –  without them this would not have been possible.”

Semiha Borovac, the Minister of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated: “First of all, I want to wish to all the citizens of Bosanski Petrovac a happy municipality day. This new building for the most vulnerable RHP beneficiaries is the best gift for them, to mark the day of Bosanski Petrovac municipality. Through the RHP, we are strengthening our friendship and cooperation not only within Bosnia and Herzegovina but also in the region. I would like to emphasize that RHP is one of the most important programmes regarding the implementation of Annex VII of the Dayton Peace Agreement.”

Addressing the beneficiaries, Acting Head of Operations Section for Social Development, Civil Society and Cross Border Cooperation of the EU Delegation to BiH, Gianluca Vannini underlined the European Union’s support to the programme and expressed his satisfaction with the progress made so far in ensuring housing solutions for the most vulnerable citizens in BiH. “We are here for you. The European Union will continue to work on the integration and sustainable return in BiH and in the region and I am confident that this year will be marked by many more achievements. It gives me great joy to hand over to you the keys to your new apartments and witness to the beginning of a new chapter in your life,” said Vannini.

Mersija Kerkez, one of the beneficiaries, said: “My family has six members and we have spent more than 20 years moving from one place to another and now, finally, we have a permanent home. This programme proves that adequate housing for us – the most vulnerable population – can be provided here in Bosnia and Herzegovina”

RHP info desk:  Secretariat of the Regional Housing Programme ceb-rhp@coebank.org