CARE Germany

Return to Una-Sana Canton

Care Germany focuses on breathing a new life into villages around Bosanski Petrovac (UNA-sana Canton, Federation BiH) and into the town itself.
Example: 15 houses belonging to Serb families in the village of Kolunic near Bosanski Petrovac are currently being rebuilt, along with five Bosniak houses in the centre of the town. This work is part of a major project called IMPACT, which is funded by the European Commission: 180 houses will be rebuilt in the region and electricity and water supplies are set to be upgraded. The project is also concerned with job creation and social activities.

By Nikola Radic

Among returnees to Petrovac villages

Reconstruction of houses in the village of Kolunic is ongoing and it is already to see many new, red roofs. The organisation's personnel were kind to take us to several houses belonging to Serb families and which were in the process of being rebuilt. We did not however meet any inhabitants of the village, during our visit. They come over during the weekend, to clean their courtyards, prepare wood for heating during the winter and to work on their land.

We also discovered that the reconstruction of a house belonging to returnee Stevan Mirkovic is going to be completed soon. Another property this time belonging to Vrzin Radovan will also be rebuilt shortly.

According to Mr. Paul Riembault, project manager for Care Germany, the future inhabitants of Kolunic and Bosanski Petrovac do not consider security to be a major problem. Most of them are happy at the thought of returning although at present they are still waiting to do so. Indeed they have been waiting for a long time and it is frankly difficult to see why. Those Serbs who have decided to return home have asked for Care's assistance to move their belongings. They say that they have no money to pay for transport costs, especially when they have to return from a long way away.

Reconstruction of Bosniak houses

Care is also rebuilding five Bosniak houses in the centre of the town. In most cases, private construction companies are carrying out the construction work. We discovered that Care's inspection team is satisfied with the quality of the work and that houses have been reconstructed completely, just like in Kolunic.

Rasema Jusanovic from Bosanski Petrovac told us that she is going to move into her new house in autumn. The old lady was clearly delighted at this prospect. In the town centre, Sanita Druzic's house is also being rebuilt. Workers were painting when we were there and Sanita's family hopes to move in by autumn.

Care is also building 12 apartments in Bosanski Petrovac. The organisation is donating the flats to local inhabitants whose original homes were burnt down during the war. We had the general impression that Care is carrying out its projects professionally. Construction material and contractors were provided in a timely manner and there were no administrative difficulties on municipal level.

Impact project

Apart from reconstruction of family houses, Care is also trying to create conditions for entrepreneurs to start new businesses. It is providing practical information for business people as well as organising seminars across the whole of Una-Sana Canton. Care is also helping business people to gain access to funding for their various projects.

In addition, Care is trying to encourage banks to provide favorable credits for businessmen. The organisation is also working to set up a database of companies that work throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to Mr. Riembault, Care Deutschland will provide manufacturers and craft unions with any assistance they may require and the organisation also intends to help food producers.

Assembling the mosaic

The European Commission funded IMPACT project brings together all of the pieces of a complex mosaic of policies designed to help rebuild the region's infrastructure and society. The scheme includes business development, repair of water and electricity supplies and reconstruction of schools and houses. If people are to be encouraged to return to Una-Sana Canton then all of these issues need to be addressed.

Commission funding for IMPACT runs to a total of 3,143,600 EURO and the project includes the reconstruction of houses and infrastructure as well as the rehabilitation of social structures and supporting the Canton's economy.

By the end of this year, villages around Bosanski Petrovac will have electricity again. As soon as the reconstruction of a power sub-station in Vrtoci has been completed, a long distance power line will be installed ensuring a stable electricity supply.

In Care's Bosanski Petrovac office, we found out that a kindergarten in Bihac is also going to be rebuilt this year. The project has already been agreed with the head of the municipality and once it opens its doors, it will ease the burden on the kindergarten in neighbouring Ozimice and create better conditions for local children.

For more information:
Care Germany
Paul Riembault
tel.: +387 77 881 278 or 881 227
fax.: +387 77 881 278