Kalesija, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 7 March 2023 – Despite the gloomy weather, the mood in Kalesija, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) today was anything but, as 20 displaced families were awarded keys to newly-constructed Regional Housing Programme (RHP) apartments.

In addition to the beneficiaries themselves, the event was attended by 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; Sead Džafić, Mayor of Kalesija; Nermina Džepar-Ganibegović, RHP Country Housing Project Lead Manager at the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BiH; Sanja Hamidović, Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to BiH, and Aleksandar Čađenović, Government Liaison Officer at UNHCR.

Gianluca Vannini congratulates RHP beneficiary in Kalesija, BiH

Addressing those present, Minister Ramić noted that while the municipality of Kalesija had received a large number of displaced persons from neighbouring municipalities, it had worked hard, in co-operation with the local community, to accommodate as many of these as possible. “This occasion brings us all great joy, and especially the families who have received homes,” he said.

These words were echoed by Mayor Džafić, who thanked RHP Donors and noted with satisfaction that the municipality of Kalesija had provided the land and necessary documentation for the building.

On behalf of the European Union – the main Donor to the RHP – Gianluca Vannini warmly congratulated the beneficiaries on their new homes, and the BiH authorities for completing approximately 2 530 housing units to date, but observed nevertheless that efforts still needed to be invested in order to ensure the integration of the families within their communities.  

Minister Ramić, Gianluca Vannini and Mayor Džafić prepare to cut the ribbon to the RHP building, Kalesija

RHP building in Kalesija