The Danish Refugee Council - DRC

Encouraging return to Mostar

In the Mostar area, the DRC has helped rebuild 1,500 apartments and houses for refugees. In Zenica the organisation has rebuilt apartments for some 7,000 handicapped people. In Stolac it has rebuilt 215 houses, in Odzak over 700 homes and two primary schools and in Sarajevo it has helped with the reconstruction of a further ten primary schools. The DRC also recently completed work on a UNHCR-backed project to set up a database of all refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina who have applied to return home. The database, known as RADS, is now fully up and running.

By Oleg Lokmic

Elsewhere, the DRC is managing two major return projects that are being funded by the European Commission's OBNOVA programme. In the Mostar area, the organisation is overseeing the rebuilding of damaged houses and is working to ensure that refugees will be able to return to a safe and healthy environment. This particular project is worth a total of 2.4 million EURO. A similar project, worth 4 million s, is being managed by the DRC in the towns of Bugojno, Donji Vakuf, Gornji Vakuf, Jajce and Gradiska. DRC currently employs 43 people and has a budget of over 200 million DM.

In the following interview Francesco Castellani, DRC Coordinator for Bosnia and Herzegovina explains the scale of the task facing his organisation.

- Mr. Castellani, how would you describe the role of DRC in BiH?

"Financially, DRC is limited to humanitarian work in BiH but we are also a partner in a number of larger projects designed to help refugees. So, all in all, our work can include anything from delivering food and humanitarian aid on behalf of ECHO and the UNHCR, to building refugee settlements or rebuilding houses".

- Do you know how many refugees from BiH are in Denmark?

"Some 17,000 and nearly all of them contacted DRC before coming to Denmark. Once there, they were included in an integration programme that included Danish lessons and practical measures to help them integrate into Danish society. We even managed to find jobs for some of them.

We also offer advice and help for any refugees wishing to return to BiH. DRC encourages people to return and in Copenhagen we have a legal aid office that offers advice to anyone wishing to do so. Our staff also tries to find jobs in BiH for refugees who want to return. In addition, the Danish Government offers financial benefits that enable people to survive for up to three months when they return. I should add that our policy is not only to help those who wish to return from abroad to Bosnia and Herzegovina but also to provide aid to people here. We are trying to work for the well being of everyone. For example, when we begin reconstruction work we are automatically creating jobs for the local population. When we rebuild infrastructure it is not just for returnees but for everybody. We are trying to avoid conflicts between those who stayed here all the time and those who are returning".

It is Difficult to Return

- How many refugees have returned from Denmark to BiH?

"Not many. Around 3,000 I believe. There are now roughly 17,000 refugees in Denmark and before there were some 20,000. The largest single group of BiH refugees in Denmark come from Republika Srpska and it is still very difficult for them to return. It is a lot easier for those who lived in Sarajevo or Mostar before the war. The biggest problem, it seems to me, is unemployment".

- What are the reasons for the relatively small numbers of returnees?

"There are three basic reasons. The first is that it is difficult for people to comprehend how they could continue their lives in BiH. That concern is mainly related to the lack of employment opportunities here. Secondly, many of them fear return because they were living in areas, which, for political reasons, are not truly open to return even today. Finally, here in BiH there are an enormous number of displaced persons and in many cases, houses belonging to people wanting to return from abroad are already being lived in.

I also have to say that, in my opinion, returnees from abroad are poorly supported by the state. I believe there are political reasons for this. While politicians in most parts of the country now say they support the Dayton Peace Agreement and refugee return programmes it is questionable how much they really want or are able to do".

- What is the level of your co-operation with BiH authorities?

"We are always co-operative with the local authorities and make sure that they are aware of our activities. So far we have had no problems whatsoever. We are in regular contact and while we do not always agree on all issues, we generally manage to find mutually satisfactory solutions. Overall, I would say we have a good relationship with the authorities".

For more information:
Danish Refugee Council
International HQ: + 45 33 73 50 00
E-mail: drc@drc.dk

Mostar office
Tomo Zulim
tel.: + 387 88 322 301 or + 387 88 324 510
fax: + 387 88 322 301
e-mail: drc-mostar@int.tel.hr