Goražde, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 11 November 2022 – 20 refugee families in Goražde, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) celebrated the receipt of keys to their new apartments built under the Regional Housing Programme (RHP) today.

In addition to the beneficiaries themselves, the event was attended by Ambassador Daniel Hunn, Switzerland’s representative to BiH; Gianluca Vannini, Head of Operations, Section for Social Development, Civil Society and Cross-Border Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to BiH; Edin Ramić, Minister of Displaced Persons and Refugees in the Federation of BiH; Aida Obuća, Prime Minister of Bosansko-Podrinjski Canton Goražde;  Ernest Imamović, Mayor of Goražde; Hugues Bissot, Senior Protection Officer at the UNHCR in BiH; Nermina Džepar-Ganibegović, RHP Lead Manager at the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BiH, and Sanja Hamidović, Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to BiH.

RHP building in Goražde, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Edin Ramić, Hugues Bissot, Aida Obuća, Ernest Imamović and Gianluca Vannini cut the ribbon at the RHP building in Goražde

Delivering the keys to the beneficiaries, Gianluca Vannini stated: “Today, 20 families in Goražde will receive the keys to their new homes. I am delighted that I have the chance to speak to some of these families today, and to find out what this means to them. A home means stability, it means security, it means a chance to plan for a better future. The EU stands shoulder to shoulder with BiH citizens, ready to support them to improve their lives”.

Underlining the importance of ensuring the sustainability of housing solutions, Minister Ramić thanked all RHP Donors and other stakeholders, and wished the beneficiaries long lives in their new homes. On behalf of UNHCR and the OSCE, Hugues Bissot echoed these words, emphasizing the need to further ensure that the offered solutions were truly comprehensive, enabling all selected beneficiaries to rebuild their lives in more dignified and sustainable conditions.

The final word was left to the one of the beneficiaries, Avdo Pandža, who succinctly summarized his feelings: “I would like to thank everyone who helped us settle permanently,” he said. “My heart is bursting with joy, because this is the happiest day of my life.”

RHP beneficiaries in the new apartment building in Goražde, BiH

RHP stakeholders at the Goražde event