Brčko District, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 4 March 2020 – There was cause for celebration in Brčko District in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), today, as eight RHP beneficiary families received the keys to their new homes, bringing the total number of RHP homes delivered to displaced and refugee families in BiH to more than 1 450.

The ceremony was hosted by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BiH, together with Brčko District, represented by the Head of Cabinet of the Deputy Minister for Human Rights and Refugees, Ševket Hafizović, and the Mayor of Brčko District, Siniša Milić. Also present was the Head of the OSCE field Office Marek Kubiček.

Welcoming the families to their new homes, Mayor Milić announced: ‟We are very glad to deliver housing solutions to a further eight displaced families in Brčko District. All of these families have their own individual stories that are a result of the tragic war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are determined not to allow this tragedy to happen again.”

Speaking on behalf of the families, RHP beneficiary Nikola Ristić agreed: ‟In 1991, my family and I came to Brčko as refugees from Croatia. We have lived in temporary accommodation for 29 years. I will never forget this day.“

On behalf of the OSCE and UNHCR, Marek Kubiček added: ‟Both the OSCE and UNHCR in BiH are glad to have assisted in the selection process for beneficiaries, and we will continue to work closely with all partners to ensure continued implementation of the RHP. We will also continue to assist the authorities in ensuring that returnees and displaced persons have access to social and economic rights, in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement.“