Return to Travnik programme

The UNDP has so far helped 4,000 people to return to the region of Travnik, including 2,500 Bosniaks. The organisation's first programme included the reconstruction of 520 houses in the region between April 1997 and October 1998. The second programme was launched in October last year and will run until February 2000. The scheme envisages the reconstruction of 400 more houses in Travnik and Vitez.

By Alma Kunic

"Central Bosnia Canton is at the heart of the Federation. Everything starts from the heart and that is why we decided to launch the return project in Travnik. We believe that the region is now ready to accept returnees", says Christophe Ribes Ros, UNDP's Programme Manager in Travnik.

The aim of the UNDP's programme is to help Bosnian refugees currently scattered around the European Union's 15 member states to return home. As part of this process the organisation believes it is vital to work with local authorities and representatives of civil society. These actors help to determine priorities and enhance relations between returnees and people who stayed behind during the hostilities.

The UNDP began working in Bosnia and Herzegovina immediately after the end of the war. At that time what was needed was rapid building and reconstruction programmes. Now however the UNDP is involved in more long-term projects designed to improve the general situation throughout the country. The single biggest donor to UNDP is the European Union. "Rebuilding houses belonging to displaced persons is a priority for us. These tend to be in villages that were on the front line and the people who used to live in them are now occupying apartments owned by people who fled the city. In this way the programme provides accommodation for two families for the price of one rebuilt house", says Ribes Ros.

In order to have his or her house rebuilt a prospective returnee must enter into a contract with the relevant local authorities. Once building work has been completed, the beneficiary is given one month to move in. This deadline can only be extended in exceptional circumstances. Rebuilding the houses of internally displaced persons reduces tensions and problems for refugees who, on the opinion of the local community, escaped the war and had an easy life abroad.

Progress in Vitez

The second phase of the UNDP programme began in October last year and has now been expanded to Vitez. Some 400 houses are being rebuilt as part of this particular scheme. Two years ago, when the programme was launched in Travnik, it was not possible to expand it to this neighbouring town because of the political situation. Now however relations between the authorities in Vitez and UNDP have improved greatly. The real return has not yet begun, but a first step has been taken.

Ribes Ros says one of the greatest challenges for the authorities in both Srednja Bosna Canton and in Bosnia and Herzegovina in general will be to organise the safe return of the country's Serb population. Some progress has already been made in this respect as the local authorities now recognise that this group must be included in the return process.

"When it comes to the political situation, we see no difficulties for Serbs wishing to return. Travnik is recognised as an open city that is not only for Croats and Bosniaks but for Serbs also. I think that the major problem for everyone will be unemployment. Houses can be reconstructed but the real question is how to organise ones life", says Ribes Ros.

The reconstruction programme currently employs 450 workers and 20 local companies. This, coupled with the local purchase of material, is currently the main factor stimulating to the local economy. The UNDP's Integrated Programme of re-settlement in Travnik has five key components. The main task is obviously to rebuild houses. But there are also special programmes for upgrading infrastructures, stimulating economic growth and developing civil society. The UNDP also runs a legal advice scheme.

27 Donations Approved

You need to do more than simply rebuild houses if you want people to return. It is just as important to ensure that people are able to organise their lives, that they can find a job and that their children can go to school. UNDP is also working to try to solve these sorts of problems".

So far 27 donations have been approved to help local associations tackle precisely the sorts of issues mentioned above. Of course no one believes that it will be possible to solve problems like chronic unemployment in six months but it is important for people to know that help is available.

UNDP is also providing micro credits for people who return to rural areas and the organisation has already approved 250 such loans. Beneficiaries will receive their credits in form of cows or agricultural machinery. The UNDP stresses that this particular scheme is designed to provide people with loans, not grants, and that beneficiaries will eventually have to repay the costs of the credits they received.

Many things have improved since this organisation began working in SBK (Central Bosnia Canton) two years ago. UNDP staff say it is a pleasure for them to see people returning to places where there was previously no life.

Podkraj ­ a Model Village

A year ago the majority Croat village of Podkraj was deserted. Then the UNDP programme heard that its inhabitants wanted to return. But the return process was not at all simple. There was no electricity in the village as the power lines went through mine fields. The lack of power meant the water pump didn't work so houses had no water. The school had also been destroyed so children had to travel to classes in Nova Bila, which is 20 kilometres away. The UNDP programme helped to rebuild some 50 houses in the village and the MAC de-mining team is now working in the area. UNDP, UNHCR and the UNDP VEEP Programme for rural areas are working together to rebuild the main road to the village.

The Programme is also co-operating with other organisations such as USAID, which is rebuilding water and electricity systems in Podkraj. The next step for the UNDP will be to rebuild the school. The teachers who worked in this school have already been contacted and are eager to return to their homes and start to work again. At present they are living in Turbe, Belgrade and Travnik.

For more information:
UNDP Travnik
tel.: + 387 72 518 467
fax.: + 387 72 818 469
e-mail: undptr@tr.undp.com.ba