Solidarités

From Reconstruction to Return

The French humanitarian organisation "Solidarités" has been helping to rebuild some 825 houses in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the aid of European Commission funds. The work carried out by the group has enabled many formerly displaced people to return to their homes. "Making houses habitable so that people can return home is our way of contributing to the Dayton agreement", explains Cyprien Fabre, head of the Solidarités mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

By Alma and Senad Mahmutbegovic

It started in Otes

Solidarités has already completed one major reconstruction programme in the Sarajevo district of Otes. The scheme involved rebuilding both houses and infrastructure and has enabled 165 families to come home. A second reconstruction programme, this time in Mrkonjic Grad, was completed in the beginning of May and some 120 families are expected to return to the town in the near future. Similar schemes are planned for 200 displaced families from Travnik and a further 40 from the Tuzla region.

Social welfare

Although all of the projects have a key role to play in the humanitarian effort currently underway in BiH, Fabre says the scheme his organisation is currently managing in the town of Stup is the most important Solidarités at present involved in. Once completed the Stup project should enable 260 families to return to their homes. Aside from house building the scheme also includes the reconstruction of a social welfare facility for women and the rebuilding of a carpenters' shop that will eventually employ around 60 people. It is hoped that the scheme will be completed by the end of this year. The programme also has a socio-economic aspect as it helps people to learn new crafts. So far the programme has enabled some 60 people to start up new businesses.

60 people started businesses

Solidarités' activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina fall into two main categories. Part of the organisation's work involves improving socio-economic conditions in the region but it also manages basic reconstruction work. Building work is carried out to the highest European standards and the European Union funds all of the projects managed by the organisation.

A real will to return

The organisation and local authorities jointly select the companies and individuals who are chosen to benefit from Solidarités support. Lists of people who want to have their homes rebuilt are drawn up and anyone selected to benefit from the programme has to enter into a contract with Solidarités and the local or regional government. Anyone wishing to be seriously considered as a possible beneficiary of a Solidarités-funded project must show a real will to return. Despite the fact that there are more Solidarités offices in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina than in Republika Srpska, both entities are treated equally.

For more information:
Solidarités
Nicolas Sevaistre
tel.: + 387 71 232 608 or 232 914
fax: + 387 71 232 609
e-mail: sol-bih@bih.net.ba